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Residential Energy Assessments

REA Program Sunset and Final Submission Dates

Program/s: Residential Energy Assessment Program
To: REA Contractors
Summary: REA Program Sunset and Final Submission Dates
Contact with Questions:  homeaudits@nyserda.ny.gov

As mentioned during the April 2025 Residential Program Update Meeting, NYSERDA will be launching a Virtual Energy Assessment Program in the fourth quarter of 2025 and will be replacing the Residential Energy Assessment (REA) program. The final day to submit an REA enrollment in NYHEP will be Thurs. Dec. 18, 2025.    

We encourage all REA contractors to familiarize themselves with the Comfort Home Program as it will serve as the primary market rate program for assessments and incentives.​ By Q4 of 2025 all or most market rate audits should be completed through Comfort Home.  Please refer to this link  for information on becoming a participating Comfort Home Contractor.  

Contractors should review their websites and other marketing material over the next few months to either remove the REA program or replace it with information related to Comfort Home, if applicable.  

All Comfort Home and EmPower+ audits completed through NYHEP will comply with GJGNY requirements and provide the necessary data needed for GJGNY loan applications.​  

The REA NYHEP portal will remain open for participating contractors to access their existing customer information.  In addition, the portal will also remain open if contractors need access to the Loan Proforma report for loan only projects.  A user guide for market rate loan use cases will be available in a future Program Announcement. 

For additional information about the Virtual Energy Assessment Program or the sunset of the REA program, please email homeaudits@nyserda.ny.gov.  

For additional information about the Comfort Home Program, please email support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov.​  

Single Family Residential Transition to Home Modernization 

Program/s: EmPower+, Residential Energy Assessments, Comfort Home 
To: Participating Contractors
Summary: Single Family Residential Transition to Home Modernization
Contact with Questions: support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov

NYSERDA is changing the Single-Family Residential team name to Home Modernization. This change is effective immediately; however, NYSERDA will be transitioning away from references to Single Family Residential to Home Modernization over the next few months.  Home Modernization encompasses the following programs:

  • EmPower+
  • Comfort Home
  • Residential Energy Assessments

This notice is for informational purposes only, there is no action required by Participating Contractors.

If there are any questions, please contact support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov.

NYSERDA Participating Contractor Heat Pump Training Series II

Program/s: EmPower+, Residential Energy Assessments, Comfort Home
To: Participating Contractors
Summary: NYSERDA Participating Contractor Heat Pump Training Series II
Contact with Questions: max.ciovacco@nyserda.ny.gov 

NYSERDA Heat Pump Training Series 
Fridays 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. ET 
To register for the series, please click here.

DateSeries #TopicPresenter
06/13/25 7Putting it all together TRC – Matt Christie

Please reach out to Contractor Support at 1-800-284-9069 with any questions

Training Videos – Installing a Cold-Climate Air Source Heat Pump

Program/s: EmPower+, Residential Energy Assessments, Comfort Home
To: Participating Contractors 
Summary: Training Videos – Installing a Cold-Climate Air Source Heat Pump
Contact with Questions: wfinfo@nyserda.ny.gov

NYSERDA is pleased to announce a new series of videos and a supplementary course created in collaboration with industry experts at Steven Winter Associates (SWA). For new learners or as a refresher, these videos demonstrate the critical steps for a top-quality installation of a cold-climate air source heat pump for good performance and happy customers.

The stand-alone videos and accompanying course take a close look at the installation of an inverter-driven cold-climate air source heat pump in a New York home, with a deeper dive course offered through the SWA Academy, free to New Yorkers. The videos in the series run two to five minutes each and can easily be viewed on a desktop or mobile device in the office or in the field and focus on the key installation steps below:

  1. Planning
  2. Installing the Indoor Unit
  3. Installing the Outdoor Unit
  4. Line Set Covers
  5. Condensate
  6. Line Sets
  7. Flare Connections
  8. Pressure Testing
  9. Evacuation
  10. Charging
  11. Electrical
  12. Startup
  13. Odds and Ends
  14. Handoff

There are two ways to watch:

Watch on the Clean Heat Connect WebsiteEnroll or Login to the SWA Academy
Watch the full video playlist in order or jump between the videos to get directly to the key installation refreshers you need.

Clean Heat Connect offers additional trainings and videos you may find helpful.
Earn CE credits and test your knowledge as you progress through the course. In addition to the 14-part video series there is a 25-minute course introduction.

The course is free to all New York State residents or those employed in the State.
Watch on Clean Heat ConnectLogin/Enroll to SWA Academy

NYSERDA Participating Contractor Heat Pump Training Series II

Program/s: EmPower+, Residential Energy Assessments, Comfort Home
To: Participating Contractors
Summary: NYSERDA Participating Contractor Heat Pump Training Series II
Contact with Questions: max.ciovacco@nyserda.ny.gov 

NYSERDA Heat Pump Training Series 
Fridays 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. ET 
To register for the series, please click here.

DateSeries #TopicPresenter
04/25/25   4Equipment Selection 1.5hrs TRC – JJ Sawicki 
05/09/25 5Design & Placement TRC – Matt/JJ/Brett
05/23/25 6Ancillary/Miscellaneous –  
Exterior Equipment Placement 
Snow shields 
Condensate lines 
Dehumidification 
Avoiding mold growth in heads 
Manufacturer commissioning checklist 
TRC – Chrissy Thisse 
06/13/25 7Putting it all together TRC – Matt Christie

Please reach out to Contractor Support at 1-800-284-9069 with any questions