General Announcements – Archive

As of Monday, November 25, 2024, the application to join the Multifamily Residential Energy Pathways Participating Contractor Network is live. Please visit the Multifamily Contractor Network page to access the application. The webpage also includes the slides and recording from the webinar held on October 28 that provided an overview of the contractor network and a walkthrough of the application. 
 
Please do not hesitate to reach out to [email protected] with any questions. 
 
Thank you, 
NYSERDA Multifamily Team 

Program/s: EmPower+, Comfort Home  
To: Participating Contractors 
Summary: EmPower+ and Comfort Home Program Dense Packing Wall Cavity Updates 
Questions: Please Contact Contractor Support at 1-800-284-9069 

Beginning December 1, 2024, the EmPower+ and Comfort Home program will no longer provide incentives for the dense packing of wall cavities or ceiling slopes in instances where the cavity includes pre-existing insulation that does not allow for the proper installation of the proposed material to achieve the final R-value according to the insulation manufacturer specifications and workscope submitted to program.  

To be eligible for EmPower+ and Comfort Home incentives wall cavities proposed for insulation upgrades must have a minimum void depth of 2 inches. 

Building component example that does NOT qualify: 

• 2×4 wall cavity that has 2 inches (or more) of pre-existing fiberglass insulation. 

Building component example that DOES qualify: 

• 2×6 wall cavity that has 3 inches (or less) of preexisting fiberglass insulation.   

Floor cavities located above an attached or tuck-under garage, above unconditioned spaces, and cantilevers are exempt from this Program rule. Contractors still must verify there is space in the existing cavity to add the proposed insulation upgrade by providing photos of the available space in the floor cavities.  

Assessment 
Contractors must conduct a thorough assessment of wall cavities or ceiling slopes before proposing these areas for additional insulation work through EmPower+ and Comfort Home. 

• The assessment must document the type, condition, and R-value of the existing insulation and be included in the Existing Conditions section of the Workscope Submission step in NYHEP. 

Compliance 
Workscope submissions that include the dense packing of wall cavities or ceiling slopes where the proposed cavity includes pre-existing insulation must include photos of the existing wall cavity conditions to support that the combined R-value and density of new and existing insulation will meet manufacturer installation specifications. 

NYHEP Workflow 

Workscope Submission 
All wall cavity or ceiling slope insulation proposals involving pre-existing insulation must be submitted for approval as part of the workscope submission. NYHEP will be updated so wall insulation measures are not auto approved.  At the Workscope Submission step, contractors must submit clear photos of the open space in the cavity, via a borescope or other industry practice(s). IR camera images alone will not be accepted.  

Final Project Submission 
Geo-tagged post-installation photos must be provided in the single PDF submitted in NYHEP at the Final Project Submission workflow step to verify compliance with the approved proposal and manufacturer specifications. Photos must include clear detail of installed insulation prior to sealing off wall cavity or ceiling slope access point. 

Expected Outcomes 
Program expects contractors to fill 100% of each cavity achieving the final R-value included in the workscope submission while meeting the required insulation manufacturer specifications. 

• As best practice, contractors are advised to provide the customer with a dated manufacturer insulation receipt signed by the installer that minimally includes Installed insulation type, coverage area, installed thickness, minimum settled thickness, installed R-value, and number of bags installed at the home at time of final project completion. 
• Contractors are asked to keep a record of this on hand for any projects that include this type of measure receiving incentives through the program. 

Non-Compliance  
Contractors installing insulation in wall cavities or slope surfaces that included pre-existing insulation and are non-compliant with the updated guidelines will be required to cover the cost of the insulation. 

• Charging the customer for the non-compliant measure will not be permitted. Incentives paid for the non-compliant measure will be reimbursed by the contractor. 
• Additional disciplinary action may be taken against the contractor according to the current Program Manual. 

This update was covered in the November 1, 2024, Contractor Webinar which can be found here.  Prior to the effective date, Sections 5.18 and 8.2 of the Program Manual will be updated to reflect these program changes. If there are any questions, please reach out to Contractor Support at 1-800-284-9069. 

SUBJECT: Appliance Upgrade Program Launch
Program/s: All
To: Participating Contractors
Summary: NYSERDA is seeking to sign up contractors to participate in this program.
Contact with Questions: Please contact [email protected] or 518-862-1090 x3267   

The Appliance Upgrade Program recently launched to help New Yorkers save money on the purchase of an ENERGY STAR® certified heat pump clothes dryers from participating retailers. Heat pump dryers offer superior efficiency in a self-contained system that doesn’t require ventilation – allowing them to be installed in various locations of a home or apartment. NYSERDA is seeking contractors that can offer installation services, such as installing the appliance or performing the necessary electrical upgrades to accommodate the new electrical load from the dryer.

NYSERDA is seeking to sign up contractors to participate in this program. Interested contractors can sign up here: Appliance Upgrade Program- Application for Retailer and Contractor Enrollment (PON 5859) (ny.gov)

As an existing NYSERDA contractor in good standing with your respective program, you can be fast-tracked for approval and do not need to submit customer references. Participating contractors can receive the following installation incentives (up to $500) for this program.

Any questions, feel free to contact [email protected] or 518-862-1090 x3267   

Program/s:  All
To:  Participating Contractors
Summary:  Retail Point-of-Sale Program Survey for Single-Family contractors
Contact with Questions:  [email protected].

Tell Us Your Level of Interest! Complete the Retail Point-of-Sale Program Survey.

NYSERDA will be administering a Retail Point-of-Sale program using funds from the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA’s) Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Program, with an anticipated October 2024 launch. We kindly ask our current Single-Family contractors to complete this short survey aimed at gauging interest in participating in the HEAR Retail Point-of-Sale program.
Please Note: Completion of the survey will not automatically enroll contractors in this program.

Program/s: EmPower+ Contractors
To: EmPower+ Contractors
Summary: Launching of Quality Home Contractor
Contact with Questions:  Amy Kasson-Muzio

Dear Stakeholders,

NYSERDA is in the process of establishing a Quality Home Contractor (QHC) designation aimed at highlighting exemplary performance among Single Family Residential Empower+ participating contractors.

The Quality Home Contractor designation will help New Yorkers during the contractor search and selection process, by identifying EmPower+ contractors who consistently achieve high standards of quality. The designation will help lessen the search and selection burden on customers and lend confidence that the job will be well-done when a QHC is chosen. The designation will also help contractors to differentiate themselves by the quality of their work.

Final criteria for determining which contractors will receive NYSERDA’s QHC designation are still under development. The likely eligibility criteria are:

• Must be an active full status EmPower+ contractors,
• Must complete at least 12 full comprehensive projects within the past calendar year (2024 for the initial designation), and
• Must have at least a 4.0 (no rounding up) average in-field inspection QA score for the past calendar year.

The designation will be valid for one calendar year and will be re-evaluated annually using the same criteria.

Contractors that meet the eligibility criteria will be identified on NYSERDA platforms (e.g., website) and listed as a NYSERDA Quality Home Contractor. These contractors will also be provided with a NYSERDA Quality Home Contractorlabel/logo to use in their own marketing and customer communications as a third-party differentiator and validation of their work quality.

With the addition of the QHC designation, we do not anticipate any other changes to the Quality Assurance inspection guidelines within the overarching Quality Assurance program for Empower+. 

Sincerely,
 The Standards and Quality Assurance Team 

Programs: EmPower+, Residential Energy Assessments, Comfort Home
To: Contractors and Vendors
Summary: Call Center Update
Questions: Dave Friello

Enhancements to the customer/contractor support system (cases and phone calls) will be released the evening of June 26. During this update you may experience delays in reaching the support team by phone, logging into the case system, or creating a case by email. 

Programs: NYSERDA Residential Market Advisory Group (RMAG)
To: NYSERDA Residential Market Advisory Group (RMAG) Stakeholders
Summary: NYSERDA Residential Market Advisory Group (RMAG) 2024 Priority Setting Survey
Questions: Tamar Nagel

NYSERDA Residential Market Advisory Group (RMAG) 

2024 Priority Setting Survey 

Priorities for the RMAG are developed annually based on feedback from our membership. We invite you to complete a brief survey that will let us know what your areas of highest interest are for residential clean energy technologies in 2024. This should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. 

2024 RMAG PRIORITY SURVEY

Questions or Recommendations? 
Interested in hearing about something specific at an RMAG meeting? Would you like to share your work with the RMAG? Please submit your recommendations for future RMAG programming via the registration link for the Q2 RMAG Virtual Meeting. 

We look forward to seeing you soon. 
 
Sincerely, 
The Residential Market Advisory Group Team 

No Announcements

Program: All Programs
To: Participating Contractors & Vendors
Summary: Other languages spoken
Contact with Questions: Liz Lazarou [email protected]

We are in the process of updating the NYSERDA portal to track languages spoken by contractors and vendors across the networks. This will allow Programs to refer customers to contractors/vendors who can more clearly communicate with them. If your company has staff who are fluent in languages other than English, please take the time to send Liz an email [email protected],  listing all other languages so they may be added to your profile.

Program: EmPower+ and REA
To: EmPower+ and REA Contractors
Summary: NYHEP Updates
Contact with Questions: If you experience any issues reaching the contractor support team by phone, please send an email to [email protected]

All Users:  

• Numerous back-end data exchange enhancements, other bug fixes, and performance improvements 
• Display a warning box with a 10-minute countdown prior to automatically being logged out due to inactivity.   
• Single sign-on enabled.  Users logged into Salesforce can also log into NYHEP without entering credentials. 
• Search feature enhancement.  Users may use the search bar to locate a project using Enrollment Number, Reference Number, or Customer Last Name 
• Project Acceptance Extension. System configuration aligned with extension policy announced in December 2023 
• “Application Processor” label changed to “Community Hub” 
  • Forgot Your Password” dialog box updated to ask for “user ID”

Program: EmPower+ and REA
To: EmPower+ and REA Contractors
Summary: NYHEP Updates
Contact with Questions: If you experience any issues reaching the contractor support team by phone, please send an email to [email protected]

All Users:  

• Display a warning box with a 10-minute countdown prior to automatically being logged out due to inactivity.   
• Single sign-on enabled.  Users logged into Salesforce can also log into NYHEP without entering credentials. 
• Search feature enhancement.  Users may use the search bar to locate a project using Enrollment Number, Reference Number, or Customer Last Name 
• Project Acceptance Extension. System configuration aligned with extension policy announced in December 2023 
• “Application Processor” label changed to “Community Hub” 
• Forgot Your Password” dialog box updated to ask for “user ID” 
  • Numerous back-end data exchange enhancements, other bug fixes, and performance improvements 

Program: All Programs
To: Participating Contractors & Vendors
Summary: Other languages spoken
Contact with Questions: Liz Lazarou [email protected]

We are in the process of updating the NYSERDA portal to track languages spoken by contractors and vendors across the networks. This will allow Programs to refer customers to contractors/vendors who can more clearly communicate with them. If your company has staff who are fluent in languages other than English, please take the time to send Liz an email [email protected],  listing all other languages so they may be added to your profile.

Program: EmPower+ and REA
To: EmPower+ and REA Contractors
Summary: NYHEP Updates
Contact with Questions: If you experience any issues reaching the contractor support team by phone, please send an email to [email protected]

The following NYHEP changes will go live April 25. Knowledge Base articles with be updated to reflect these changes.

All Users:  

• Display a warning box with a 10-minute countdown prior to automatically being logged out due to inactivity.   
• Single sign-on enabled.  Users logged into Salesforce can also log into NYHEP without entering credentials. 
• Search feature enhancement.  Users may use the search bar to locate a project using Enrollment Number, Reference Number, or Customer Last Name 
• Project Acceptance Extension. System configuration aligned with extension policy announced in December 2023 
• “Application Processor” label changed to “Community Hub” 
• Forgot Your Password” dialog box updated to ask for “user ID” 
  • Numerous back-end data exchange enhancements, other bug fixes, and performance improvements 

No Announcements

Programs: All
To: All
Summary: NYS Dept of Labor’s new Virtual Career Center
Contact with Questions: [email protected]

Looking to fill open positions at your company?

The New York State Department of Labor’s new Virtual Career Center can help you search for qualified job candidates free of charge.

The Virtual Career Center is a powerful job posting and talent sourcing platform using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to connect businesses to candidates. New York State businesses can source, contact, and advance candidates with a broad range of skills and qualifications all while adhering to state labor and compliance law.

Programs: EmPower+, Residential Energy Assessments, Comfort Home
To: Contractors
Summary: NYHEP Updates
Contact with Questions: If there are any questions on this, please reach out to contractor support at 1-800-284-9069.

Thank you for your feedback for the NY Home Energy Portal (NYHEP). NYSERDA and our developers are working to make the requested improvements and release enhancements on a monthly cadence.  NYHEP will be updated on March 14, 2024, with the following changes:

• All users: Ability to choose multiple document types when uploading a file
• NYSERDA/Implementation users: Enhanced Implementation/Contractor profile features and management tools
• Numerous back-end data exchange enhancements to streamline reporting and other bug fixes.

Programs: All
To: All
Summary: NYS Dept of Labor’s new Virtual Career Center
Contact with Questions: [email protected]

Looking to fill open positions at your company?

The New York State Department of Labor’s new Virtual Career Center can help you search for qualified job candidates free of charge.

The Virtual Career Center is a powerful job posting and talent sourcing platform using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to connect businesses to candidates. New York State businesses can source, contact, and advance candidates with a broad range of skills and qualifications all while adhering to state labor and compliance law.

To: Everyone
Regarding Programs: General
Summary: The New York State Department of Labor’s new Virtual Career Center can help you search for qualified job candidates free of charge.
Contact: Department of Labor’s Virtual Career Center for Businesses

Looking to fill open positions at your company?

The New York State Department of Labor’s new Virtual Career Center can help you search for qualified job candidates free of charge.

The Virtual Career Center is a powerful job posting and talent sourcing platform using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to connect businesses to candidates. New York State businesses can source, contact, and advance candidates with a broad range of skills and qualifications all while adhering to state labor and compliance law.

To: Everyone
Regarding Programs: General
Summary: The New York State Department of Labor’s new Virtual Career Center can help you search for qualified job candidates free of charge.
Contact: Department of Labor’s Virtual Career Center for Businesses

Looking to fill open positions at your company?

The New York State Department of Labor’s new Virtual Career Center can help you search for qualified job candidates free of charge.

The Virtual Career Center is a powerful job posting and talent sourcing platform using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to connect businesses to candidates. New York State businesses can source, contact, and advance candidates with a broad range of skills and qualifications all while adhering to state labor and compliance law.

To: Everyone
Regarding Programs: General
Summary: The New York State Department of Labor’s new Virtual Career Center can help you search for qualified job candidates free of charge.
Contact: Department of Labor’s Virtual Career Center for Businesses

Looking to fill open positions at your company?

The New York State Department of Labor’s new Virtual Career Center can help you search for qualified job candidates free of charge.

The Virtual Career Center is a powerful job posting and talent sourcing platform using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to connect businesses to candidates. New York State businesses can source, contact, and advance candidates with a broad range of skills and qualifications all while adhering to state labor and compliance law.

To: Everyone
Regarding Programs: General
Summary: The New York State Department of Labor’s new Virtual Career Center can help you search for qualified job candidates free of charge.
Contact: Department of Labor’s Virtual Career Center for Businesses

Looking to fill open positions at your company?

The New York State Department of Labor’s new Virtual Career Center can help you search for qualified job candidates free of charge.

The Virtual Career Center is a powerful job posting and talent sourcing platform using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to connect businesses to candidates. New York State businesses can source, contact, and advance candidates with a broad range of skills and qualifications all while adhering to state labor and compliance law.

To: Participating EmPower+, REA and Comfort Home contractors
Regarding Programs: NYS Healthy Homes Value-Based Payment Pilot
Summary: Contractor Recruitment
Contact: [email protected]

NYSERDA is looking to onboard additional contractors to complete projects associated with the NYS Healthy Homes Value-Based Payment Pilot. The Pilot seeks to deliver residential healthy homes interventions to 500 households in targeted regions of New York State. Targeted regions include the following: all New York City Boroughs; Onondaga, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties. For the purposes of this Pilot, a healthy homes intervention is comprised of the following dwelling-based services: energy efficiency/weatherization measures, environmental trigger reduction measures, and home injury prevention measures. Additional details about the Pilot and contractor participation expectations can be found online.

To: Participating EmPower+, REA and Comfort Home contractors
Regarding Programs: NYS Healthy Homes Value-Based Payment Pilot
Summary: Contractor Recruitment
Contact: [email protected]

NYSERDA is looking to onboard additional contractors to complete projects associated with the NYS Healthy Homes Value-Based Payment Pilot. The Pilot seeks to deliver residential healthy homes interventions to 500 households in targeted regions of New York State. Targeted regions include the following: all New York City Boroughs; Onondaga, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties. For the purposes of this Pilot, a healthy homes intervention is comprised of the following dwelling-based services: energy efficiency/weatherization measures, environmental trigger reduction measures, and home injury prevention measures. Additional details about the Pilot and contractor participation expectations can be found online.

To: NYSERDA Single Family Residential Program Partners
Regarding Programs: NYSERDA Single Family Residential Programs
Summary: Implementation Contractor Updates
Contact: [email protected]

At the end of 2023, the current Shared Services and Technical Services contracts supporting EmPower+ and Residential Energy Assessments will expire.  Effective January 1, 2024, these program implementation services will be transitioned to two entities providing programmatic and customer support as outlined below. Moving forward, NYSERDA’s expectation is to streamline and align implementation support across all Single-Family Residential programs.

Over the next several weeks, staff will be working to make the necessary system and internal process updates. While we expect minimal interruptions and impacts to the services provided, we appreciate your support and understanding as the Implementation teams work through the changes.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Customer Engagement and Enrollment Contractor

TRC will assume the responsibility of customer support prior to, and through, the application enrollment process. Specifically, TRC will:

• Provide call-center support for customers to answer questions about program offerings and assist with customer enrollment
• Process customer applications for EmPower+
• Provide income verification services for program incentives
• Process low-income referral files and mailings or other outreach to referred customers

The customer application will continue to be in Salesforce and no changes to the application process is expected. Updates with additional details such as application mailing address, support phone numbers, and other instructions will be provided as soon as the details are finalized.

Program Operations and Technical Support Contractor

An organization will be selected to assume the responsibility of customer support once an application has been approved as well as programmatic and technical support for contractors in the EmPower+ and Residential Energy Assessment programs. Specifically, the selected organization will:

• Provide technical and programmatic support to contractors through trainings, in-field and remote assistance, responding to support tickets and managing a call center
• Provide customer support for in-progress work and post-completion inquiries or other issues
• Process manual workscope and final project reviews for EmPower+, including incentive invoice processing
• Process Residential Energy Assessment submissions, including incentive invoice processing
• Provide assistance maintaining program participation agreements, updating program processes and other resources

NYSERDA is finalizing contracting with the selected organization and will announce the award as soon as the contract is completed. Updates with additional details such as support phone numbers and other instructions will be provided as soon as the details are finalized. Workflow approval procedures and invoice submission processes will continue to be processed in the New York Home Energy Portal.

For Comfort Home, technical and operational support services will continue by the current TRC contract through 2024.

To: Participating EmPower+, REA and Comfort Home contractors
Regarding Programs: NYS Healthy Homes Value-Based Payment Pilot
Summary: Contractor Recruitment
Contact: [email protected]

NYSERDA is looking to onboard additional contractors to complete projects associated with the NYS Healthy Homes Value-Based Payment Pilot. The Pilot seeks to deliver residential healthy homes interventions to 500 households in targeted regions of New York State. Targeted regions include the following: all New York City Boroughs; Onondaga, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties. For the purposes of this Pilot, a healthy homes intervention is comprised of the following dwelling-based services: energy efficiency/weatherization measures, environmental trigger reduction measures, and home injury prevention measures. Additional details about the Pilot and contractor participation expectations can be found online.

To: Contractors
Regarding Programs: All
Summary: Total Building Performance (TBP) Certificate of Knowledge
Contact: Learn More & Apply to Take the Pilot Exam

 The Total Building Performance (TBP) Certificate of Knowledge, a new credential from Building Performance Institute to promote deep energy retrofits, is available now. The TBP will show that workers have the knowledge to plan, assist, and guide residential deep energy retrofit projects to reduce energy consumption by 50% or more.

The TBP covers 8 areas of knowledge needed for a deep energy retrofit. It offers a solid base of knowledge for certificate holders to develop a new line of business and establish trust with customers. The pilot exam is free to the first 500 candidates.

Learn more about the TBP and apply to take the pilot Exam.

To: Participating EmPower+, REA and Comfort Home contractors
Regarding Programs: NYS Healthy Homes Value-Based Payment Pilot
Summary: Contractor Recruitment
Contact: [email protected]

NYSERDA is looking to onboard additional contractors to complete projects associated with the NYS Healthy Homes Value-Based Payment Pilot. The Pilot seeks to deliver residential healthy homes interventions to 500 households in targeted regions of New York State. Targeted regions include the following: all New York City Boroughs; Onondaga, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties. For the purposes of this Pilot, a healthy homes intervention is comprised of the following dwelling-based services: energy efficiency/weatherization measures, environmental trigger reduction measures, and home injury prevention measures. Additional details about the Pilot and contractor participation expectations can be found online.

To: Contractors
Regarding Programs: All
Summary: Total Building Performance (TBP) Certificate of Knowledge
Contact: Learn More & Apply to Take the Pilot Exam

 The Total Building Performance (TBP) Certificate of Knowledge, a new credential from Building Performance Institute to promote deep energy retrofits, is available now. The TBP will show that workers have the knowledge to plan, assist, and guide residential deep energy retrofit projects to reduce energy consumption by 50% or more.

The TBP covers 8 areas of knowledge needed for a deep energy retrofit. It offers a solid base of knowledge for certificate holders to develop a new line of business and establish trust with customers. The pilot exam is free to the first 500 candidates.

Learn more about the TBP and apply to take the pilot Exam.

To: Participating EmPower+, REA and Comfort Home contractors
Regarding Programs: Workforce Development & Training
Summary: Contractor Recruitment
Contact: [email protected] 

Workforce Development & Training

Identifying Available Employment

Opportunities for Asylum Seekers

Governor Hochul recently announced a program that will greatly expand the State’s ability to help asylum seekers quickly gain lawful employment with buisnesses looking to hire. New York State Department of Labor (DOL) career experts are working with individuals to asses skills, work history, education, career interests and more so they can begin working immediately after obtaining federal work authorization. Meanwhile, businesses can access a new portal to inform the State they would welcome newly-authorized individuals into their workforce.

For additional information or if you have any questions, please
contact [email protected].

Sincerely,
NYSERDA’s Workforce Development and Training Team

To: Participating EmPower+, REA and Comfort Home contractors
Regarding Programs: NYS Healthy Homes Value-Based Payment Pilot
Summary: Contractor Recruitment
Contact: [email protected]

NYSERDA is looking to onboard additional contractors to complete projects associated with the NYS Healthy Homes Value-Based Payment Pilot. The Pilot seeks to deliver residential healthy homes interventions to 500 households in targeted regions of New York State. Targeted regions include the following: all New York City Boroughs; Onondaga, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties. For the purposes of this Pilot, a healthy homes intervention is comprised of the following dwelling-based services: energy efficiency/weatherization measures, environmental trigger reduction measures, and home injury prevention measures. Additional details about the Pilot and contractor participation expectations can be found online.

To: Participating EmPower+, REA and Comfort Home contractors
Regarding Programs: NYS Healthy Homes Value-Based Payment Pilot
Summary: Contractor Recruitment
Contact: [email protected]

NYSERDA is looking to onboard additional contractors to complete projects associated with the NYS Healthy Homes Value-Based Payment Pilot. The Pilot seeks to deliver residential healthy homes interventions to 500 households in targeted regions of New York State. Targeted regions include the following: all New York City Boroughs; Onondaga, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties. For the purposes of this Pilot, a healthy homes intervention is comprised of the following dwelling-based services: energy efficiency/weatherization measures, environmental trigger reduction measures, and home injury prevention measures. Additional details about the Pilot and contractor participation expectations can be found online.

To: Participating EmPower+, REA and Comfort Home contractors
Regarding Programs: NYS Healthy Homes Value-Based Payment Pilot
Summary: Contractor Recruitment
Contact: [email protected]

NYSERDA is looking to onboard additional contractors to complete projects associated with the NYS Healthy Homes Value-Based Payment Pilot. The Pilot seeks to deliver residential healthy homes interventions to 500 households in targeted regions of New York State. Targeted regions include the following: all New York City Boroughs; Onondaga, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties. For the purposes of this Pilot, a healthy homes intervention is comprised of the following dwelling-based services: energy efficiency/weatherization measures, environmental trigger reduction measures, and home injury prevention measures. Additional details about the Pilot and contractor participation expectations can be found online.

To: Participating EmPower+, REA and Comfort Home contractors 
Regarding Programs: GJGNY Web Proformas 
Summary: Addressing Common Proforma Issues/Errors 
Contact: [email protected] 

Hello, 

It’s been nearly one year using Green Jobs – Green New York (GJGNY) Web ProForma. After reviewing many submitted Web ProFormas, there are several common issues/errors that we have noted as ongoing submission mistakes. Missing or incorrect data entered will not be accepted and may result in the delay of issuing loan documents to your customers or release of loan funds.

Below is a list of the common mistakes and ways to remedy them to ensure a smooth process.

• Incorrect customer loan application date. The customer’s actual loan application date must be entered. The application date can be found in Slipstream’s VelocityGo system or by looking at the application number (230907-XXXX). Entering incorrect application dates can impact the Web ProForma results.
• Using incorrect energy assessment tools for EmPower+ and Market Rate. All EmPower+ and Market Rate loans with application dates of July 28, 2023 or later should be using the new Invoice ProForma Report (downloaded from the New York Home Energy Portal) to build out the savings within and be attached to the ProForma. EmPCalcs and the Res assessment tool are no longer accepted. For Market Rate Customers please upload both the Invoice ProForma Report and executed contract to the Web ProForma.
• Using correct energy assessment tools for Comfort Home and NYS Clean Heat. The Resources for Participating Contractors page provides the savings tool to be used for a loan based on the project type. The correct energy assessment tool must be used based on the project type (i.e. if the loan is for a Comfort Home project it must have a Comfort Home Energy Savings Calculator completed for it and attached to the Web ProForma).
• Not including measures in Project Measures section. All measures listed on the Invoice ProForma Report, except direct installs for EmPower+, must be included in the Web ProForma inputs regardless of whether they are part of the GJGNY loan or being paid by another funding source (i.e. incentives/rebates).
• Not entering total measure/project costs. Total or gross measure/project costs (before incentives are factored in) need to be entered when completing the Project Measures section.
• Matching dollar and energy savings values. The dollar and energy savings values that are entered into the Web ProForma need to match exactly what is shown for the loan in its attached savings file – including entering negative values for MWh savings (if applicable). Do not round values when entering them into the Web ProForma. For ASHP/GSHP/Comfort Home projects, make sure that they are coming from the tab in the savings file labeled “Web ProForma Inputs.”

We appreciate your continued support of the GJGNY Financing Program and working with us through this past year as we try to improve the experience of accessing GJGNY Financing for your customers. If you have any questions please email [email protected].

Thank you,

The Residential Financing Team

To: Everyone
Regarding Programs: Residential Market Advisory Group (RMAG) 
Summary: Save the Date! Upcoming NYSERDA RMAG In-Person Meeting 

Register for Meeting 

NYSERDA has begun planning for New York’s implementation of the Federal Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) Home Energy Rebate programs: the Home Efficiency Rebates (HER) Program and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) Program. 
 
Funding for these two programs will support the transition to more affordable, efficient, resilient, and low-carbon homes. NYSERDA, on behalf of New York State, is applying to these federal programs, and will then make the funding available to individuals once it is released from the Federal Government. 
 
The Department of Energy released initial program guidelines for states in late July and NYSERDA is currently following these guidelines to determine best practices it can use to implement the funding available through the IRA. To consider how this funding can best be utilized to assist New Yorkers, NYSERDA will be holding an in-person RMAG meeting on October 11, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET at Crowne Plaza / Desmond Hotel, located at 660 Albany Shaker Road, Albany, NY 12211. 
 
Please RSVP by October 9, 2023. NYSERDA will hold additional stakeholder input sessions in the future, including virtual opportunities. 
 
This session will feature informational presentations followed by breakout sessions based on a specific topics of interest, including: 

• The Customer’s Journey Toward Energy Efficiency and Electrification 
• Developing Clear and Concise Messaging for the IRA and other Funding Opportunities 
• Economic Benefits of IRA’s Home Energy Rebates 

 
Sincerely, 
The Residential Market Advisory Group Team 

To: Participating EmPower+, REA and Comfort Home contractors
Regarding Programs: NYS Healthy Homes Value-Based Payment Pilot
Summary: Contractor Recruitment
Contact: [email protected]

NYSERDA is looking to onboard additional contractors to complete projects associated with the NYS Healthy Homes Value-Based Payment Pilot. The Pilot seeks to deliver residential healthy homes interventions to 500 households in targeted regions of New York State. Targeted regions include the following: all New York City Boroughs; Onondaga, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties. For the purposes of this Pilot, a healthy homes intervention is comprised of the following dwelling-based services: energy efficiency/weatherization measures, environmental trigger reduction measures, and home injury prevention measures. Additional details about the Pilot and contractor participation expectations can be found online.

To: Participating EmPower+, REA and Comfort Home contractors 
Regarding Programs: GJGNY Web Proformas 
Summary: Addressing Common Proforma Issues/Errors 
Contact: [email protected] 

Hello, 

It’s been nearly one year using Green Jobs – Green New York (GJGNY) Web ProForma. After reviewing many submitted Web ProFormas, there are several common issues/errors that we have noted as ongoing submission mistakes. Missing or incorrect data entered will not be accepted and may result in the delay of issuing loan documents to your customers or release of loan funds.

Below is a list of the common mistakes and ways to remedy them to ensure a smooth process.

• Incorrect customer loan application date. The customer’s actual loan application date must be entered. The application date can be found in Slipstream’s VelocityGo system or by looking at the application number (230907-XXXX). Entering incorrect application dates can impact the Web ProForma results.
• Using incorrect energy assessment tools for EmPower+ and Market Rate. All EmPower+ and Market Rate loans with application dates of July 28, 2023 or later should be using the new Invoice ProForma Report (downloaded from the New York Home Energy Portal) to build out the savings within and be attached to the ProForma. EmPCalcs and the Res assessment tool are no longer accepted. For Market Rate Customers please upload both the Invoice ProForma Report and executed contract to the Web ProForma.
• Using correct energy assessment tools for Comfort Home and NYS Clean Heat. The Resources for Participating Contractors page provides the savings tool to be used for a loan based on the project type. The correct energy assessment tool must be used based on the project type (i.e. if the loan is for a Comfort Home project it must have a Comfort Home Energy Savings Calculator completed for it and attached to the Web ProForma).
• Not including measures in Project Measures section. All measures listed on the Invoice ProForma Report, except direct installs for EmPower+, must be included in the Web ProForma inputs regardless of whether they are part of the GJGNY loan or being paid by another funding source (i.e. incentives/rebates).
• Not entering total measure/project costs. Total or gross measure/project costs (before incentives are factored in) need to be entered when completing the Project Measures section.
• Matching dollar and energy savings values. The dollar and energy savings values that are entered into the Web ProForma need to match exactly what is shown for the loan in its attached savings file – including entering negative values for MWh savings (if applicable). Do not round values when entering them into the Web ProForma. For ASHP/GSHP/Comfort Home projects, make sure that they are coming from the tab in the savings file labeled “Web ProForma Inputs.”

We appreciate your continued support of the GJGNY Financing Program and working with us through this past year as we try to improve the experience of accessing GJGNY Financing for your customers. If you have any questions please email [email protected].

Thank you,

The Residential Financing Team

To: Participating EmPower+, REA and Comfort Home contractors
Regarding Programs: NYS Healthy Homes Value-Based Payment Pilot
Summary: Contractor Recruitment
Contact: [email protected]

NYSERDA is looking to onboard additional contractors to complete projects associated with the NYS Healthy Homes Value-Based Payment Pilot. The Pilot seeks to deliver residential healthy homes interventions to 500 households in targeted regions of New York State. Targeted regions include the following: all New York City Boroughs; Onondaga, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties. For the purposes of this Pilot, a healthy homes intervention is comprised of the following dwelling-based services: energy efficiency/weatherization measures, environmental trigger reduction measures, and home injury prevention measures. Additional details about the Pilot and contractor participation expectations can be found online.

To: EmPower+ Contractors
Regarding Programs: EmPower+
Summary: Standards and Quality Assurance Policies and Procedures
Contact: Amy Kasson-Muzio, [email protected]

Dear Stakeholders,

NYSERDA Standards and Quality Assurance (SQA) Policies and Procedures have been updated and are available on the Contractor Support website in the 2023 EmPower+ Program Manual, Section 10.2.

All questions should be sent to [email protected] and a member of the SQA team will respond to you in a timely manner.

We appreciate the hard work and effort put forth by all installers.

Sincerely,

The Standards and Quality Assurance Team

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To: All Contractors
Regarding Programs: All
Summary: Join the NYSERDA RFQL 4902 Residential Energy Service Providers Contractor Pool
Contact: Please contact Keith Bohling at [email protected] with any questions

NYSERDA is seeking proposals from contractors to join the NYSERDA RFQL 4902 Residential Energy Service Providers Contractor Pool. We are looking to build a robust pool of vendors with a broad spectrum of market actors with expertise in the residential sector spanning single-family to multifamily and retrofits to new construction.

A successful proposal will execute an umbrella agreement with NYSERDA. This does not include a specific statement of work, but sets up the contractor to be available for future NYSERDA projects, pilots, and initiatives. Being under contract in the RFQL 4902 Contractor Pool doesn’t guarantee any future task work orders with NYSERDA but makes the contractor available for potential future work.

Contractors should provide an overview of their experience, credentials, and their areas of expertise in their proposals. While not submitting a proposal for a specific project, contractors submitting a proposal should paint a picture of what kinds of services they can bring to potential future projects that NYSERDA may undertake.

Proposals are welcomed in four service categories:

• Market Development and Implementation Services
• Residential Services Providers
• Technical Support, Analysis, and Tool Development
• Housing and Policy Expertise

Proposers may apply to one or more categories. Proposers do not need to have expertise in all portions of a category. Proposers do not need to have expertise in all types of residential applications.

Click here to access the full solicitation and application portal.(https://portal.nyserda.ny.gov/CORE_Solicitation_Detail_Page?SolicitationId=a0rt000001Q0DNmAAN)

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To: All Contractors
Regarding Programs: All Programs
Summary: Spring Home Shows
Contact: Cory Nicosia ([email protected])

NYSERDA will have a booth at the below home shows this spring and wants to explore opportunities to engage with you. If you are also attending any of the below shows, and would like to potentially engage with us, can you please let Cory Nicosia ([email protected]) from our marketing team know? She’s currently pulling together a promotional plan for the shows so let her know ASAP if you’ll be at the Buffalo Home Show and by COB Weds 3/1 for all other shows.

Engagement opportunities may include:

• Social media tagging/sharing
• Email promotion
• On-site (day of show) Facebook live-streaming
• Listing of participating contractors in the NYSERDA booth

To: All Contractors
Regarding Programs: All Programs
Summary: Spring Home Shows
Contact: Cory Nicosia ([email protected])

NYSERDA will have a booth at the below home shows this spring and wants to explore opportunities to engage with you. If you are also attending any of the below shows, and would like to potentially engage with us, can you please let Cory Nicosia ([email protected]) from our marketing team know? She’s currently pulling together a promotional plan for the shows so let her know ASAP if you’ll be at the Buffalo Home Show and by COB Weds 3/1 for all other shows.

Engagement opportunities may include:

• Social media tagging/sharing
• Email promotion
• On-site (day of show) Facebook live-streaming
• Listing of participating contractors in the NYSERDA booth

No Announcements

To: Contractors
Regarding Programs: All Residential Programs
Summary: Survey – cost reductions for home energy upgrades
Contact: [email protected]

Do you have knowledge on the costs of residential energy upgrade projects and ideas about how to reduce them? Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL)is conducting a paid survey to gather information from the residential renovation and construction industry on these topics. We are looking for responses from contractors, consultants, program managers, and others with expertise in these areas.

Survey participation details:

• The survey asks you to indicate how likely you are to employ various cost reduction strategies in your home energy projects and to estimate how much they could save.
• The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.
• If you are one of the first 250 respondents to complete the survey, you will be compensated with a $50 eGift card upon completion of the full survey.
• Your responses to the survey questions will remain anonymous.

If you are interested in contributing to this research, please follow this link to the survey.

For information on LBNL’s recent home energy upgrade costs research, please visit the project website. You can also email us at [email protected]. Please forward this information to others in your network who you think could contribute to this work.

Thank you for your consideration.

To: Contractors
Regarding Programs: All Residential Programs
Summary: BPI new certifications and Program requirements
Contact: Please reach out to your account manager

Building Performance Institute (BPI) will be replacing the BPI Building Analyst (BA) and BPI Envelope Professional certifications with the BPI Building Analyst Technician (BA-T) and the BPI Building Analyst Professional (BA-P) in early 2023.

Due to these changes, starting January 1, 2023, NYSERDA’s Single Family Residential Programs will continue to accept the BPI BA and Envelope certifications until the certification’s expiration date. When an individual’s certifications expire, they will be required to hold one of the BPI certifications listed in the program manual to perform energy assessments and BA-P will replace BPI Envelope as the requirement for a contractor to do building shell work.

BPI will be providing an additional overview of their certification changes on NYSERDA’s February 3rd contractor call.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your account manager.

To: Contractors
Regarding Programs: All Residential Programs
Summary: Certification requirements to complete energy assessments in the Single Family Residential Programs
Contact: Please reach out to your account manager

Starting April 1, 2023, NYSERDA will require that all contractor staff completing energy assessments through EmPower+ will be required to hold at least one of the following certifications. This will continue to be a requirement of the Residential Energy Assessment and Comfort Home Programs.

• BPI Building Analyst
• BPI Building Analyst Technician
• BPI Energy Auditor
• BPI Multifamily Building Analyst
• AEE Certified Energy Auditor
• ASHRAE- Building Energy Assessment Professional
• HERS Rater
• LEED Rater
• ICP Quality Assurance (QA) Assessor

If you have any questions, please reach out to your account manager.

To: Contractors
Regarding Programs: All Residential Programs
Summary: BPI new certifications and Program requirements
Contact: Please reach out to your account manager

Building Performance Institute (BPI) will be replacing the BPI Building Analyst (BA) and BPI Envelope Professional certifications with the BPI Building Analyst Technician (BA-T) and the BPI Building Analyst Professional (BA-P) in early 2023.

Due to these changes, starting January 1, 2023, NYSERDA’s Single Family Residential Programs will continue to accept the BPI BA and Envelope certifications until the certification’s expiration date. When an individual’s certifications expire, they will be required to hold one of the BPI certifications listed in the program manual to perform energy assessments and BA-P will replace BPI Envelope as the requirement for a contractor to do building shell work.

BPI will be providing an additional overview of their certification changes on NYSERDA’s February 3rd contractor call.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your account manager.

To: Contractors
Regarding Programs: All Residential Programs
Summary: Certification requirements to complete energy assessments in the Single Family Residential Programs
Contact: Please reach out to your account manager

Starting April 1, 2023, NYSERDA will require that all contractor staff completing energy assessments through EmPower+ will be required to hold at least one of the following certifications. This will continue to be a requirement of the Residential Energy Assessment and Comfort Home Programs.

• BPI Building Analyst
• BPI Building Analyst Technician
• BPI Energy Auditor
• BPI Multifamily Building Analyst
• AEE Certified Energy Auditor
• ASHRAE- Building Energy Assessment Professional
• HERS Rater
• LEED Rater
• ICP Quality Assurance (QA) Assessor

If you have any questions, please reach out to your account manager.

To: Contractors
Regarding Programs: All Residential Programs
Summary: Survey – cost reductions for home energy upgrades
Contact: [email protected]

Do you have knowledge on the costs of residential energy upgrade projects and ideas about how to reduce them? Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL)is conducting a paid survey to gather information from the residential renovation and construction industry on these topics. We are looking for responses from contractors, consultants, program managers, and others with expertise in these areas.

Survey participation details:

• The survey asks you to indicate how likely you are to employ various cost reduction strategies in your home energy projects and to estimate how much they could save.
• The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.
• If you are one of the first 250 respondents to complete the survey, you will be compensated with a $50 eGift card upon completion of the full survey.
• Your responses to the survey questions will remain anonymous.
  

If you are interested in contributing to this research, please follow this link to the survey.

For information on LBNL’s recent home energy upgrade costs research, please visit the project website. You can also email us at [email protected]. Please forward this information to others in your network who you think could contribute to this work.

Thank you for your consideration.

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To: All Residential Contractors
Regarding Programs: NYSERDA Residential Programs
Summary: The Heat Pump Planner is now a digital interactive tool

A new interactive version of the Heat Pump Planner has launched. The new version guides customers through a three question quiz to show them the heat pump system configuration that may work best for their home. Customers can compare systems, and explore an interactive “plan” of a system they are interested in learning more about. The interactive plan showcases hot spot callouts focused on the key benefits and important considerations.

Many contractors find these heat pump plans a valuable sales tool they use to educate customers before a sales visit or at the kitchen table with their customers.

Visit: cleanheat.ny.gov/planner to explore the Heat Pump Planner.

To: All Residential Contractors
Regarding Programs: NYSERDA Residential Programs
Summary: The Heat Pump Planner is now a digital interactive tool

A new interactive version of the Heat Pump Planner has launched. The new version guides customers through a three question quiz to show them the heat pump system configuration that may work best for their home. Customers can compare systems, and explore an interactive “plan” of a system they are interested in learning more about. The interactive plan showcases hot spot callouts focused on the key benefits and important considerations.

Many contractors find these heat pump plans a valuable sales tool they use to educate customers before a sales visit or at the kitchen table with their customers.

Visit: cleanheat.ny.gov/planner to explore the Heat Pump Planner.

To: All Residential Contractors
Regarding Programs: NYSERDA Residential Programs
Summary: The Heat Pump Planner is now a digital interactive tool

A new interactive version of the Heat Pump Planner has launched. The new version guides customer through a three question quiz to show them the heat pump system configuration that may work best for their home. Customers can compare systems, and explore an interactive “plan” of a system they are interested in learning more about. The interactive plan showcases hot spot callouts focused on the key benefits and important considerations.

Many contractors find these heat pump plans a valuable sales tool they use to educate customers before a sales visit or at the kitchen table with their customers.

Visit: cleanheat.ny.gov/planner to explore the Heat Pump Planner.

To: All Participating Contractors and Vendors
Regarding Programs: EmPower New York Contractor and Vendors, Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®, Residential Energy Audit Program, Comfort Home, Green Jobs – Green NY Residential Financing Program
Summary: New Participation Agreement and Required Application – ACTION REQUIRED!
Contact: [email protected]

For EmPower Appliance Vendors

Appliance Vendors looking to provide services as an EmPower New York (EmPower NY) Appliance Vendor, must review and complete the 2022 EmPower New York Appliance Vendor Agreement (Agreement) and return to the Program at [email protected].

• Existing EmPower NY Appliance Vendors – As a reminder to the email sent on September 16, 2022, your current Agreement period ends on September 30, 2022, and you must complete and return the 2022 Agreement prior to September 30, 2022, if you wish to continue participation as an Appliance Vendor. Existing Appliance Vendors who don’t complete and return the Agreement will not receive any new referrals after September 30, 2022, but they will be able to complete work assigned prior to that date. Please indicate in your submission if:
  • You want NYSERDA to continue with your previously approved models and pricing
  • You have new models and pricing – please complete and submit and updated EmPower Appliance List and return with your submission.
• New Appliance Vendors – please review and sign the 2022 EmPower New York Appliance Vendor Agreement, complete EmPower Appliance List, and submit to [email protected].

For Contractors

NYSERDA is pleased to announce an enhancement to Participation Agreements for the EmPower NY, Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR^®, Residential Energy Audit Program, Comfort Home, and Green Jobs – Green NY Residential Financing Programs.

There is now one Participation Agreement that is applicable to all of NYSERDA’s residential energy efficiency programs. This means one document with the terms and conditions each company is bound to for participation. Specific rules, processes and policies for each distinct program are available in each Program Manual, which continue to be separate documents. Contractors participating in multiple programs no longer need to sign and maintain separate Participation Agreements with NYSERDA.

The current Participation Agreement for the EmPower NY, Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® and Comfort Home Programs expires on September 30, 2022.  Existing Contractors who don’t complete and return the Agreement will not receive any new referrals after September 30, 2022, but they will be able to complete work assigned prior to that date.

The new Participation Agreement and Contractor Application is available now and must be submitted by September 30, 2022, to ensure seamless participation in NYSERDA’s programs.

• When re-applying to these programs, make sure to select that you are a “New Applicant” on the Contractor Application
• Please select all programs you are applying for – regardless of your existing participation status

EmPower NY and Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® contractors, the Program Manual is in the process of being finalized and will be available for contractors to access during the week of September 5, 2022.

This change also opens up enrollment eligibility for Comfort Home to all contractors. If you wish to enroll in Comfort Home, review the Comfort Home Pilot Manual and make sure to select that when you submit your new application. 

For questions, please contact [email protected]. Additional details regarding work in progress deadlines and system access after September 30 will be distributed soon.

To: Participating Contractors
Regarding Programs: Assisted Home Performance and EmPower New York
Summary: Suspicious Email Warning
Contact: Questions can be addressed with your account manager or submitted through [email protected]

Recently one of our Participating Contractors reported to CLEAResult that they received a suspicious email that appeared to come from NYSERDA. If a Participating Contractor receives a suspicious email that appears to be from NYSERDA, do not click on any links or attachments.  When receiving official email communication from NYSERDA, the email address of the sender will always contain “@nyserda.ny.gov”.

If you have any questions, please contact your Account Manager or email NYSERDA directly at [email protected].

To: All Participating Contractors
Regarding Programs: Residential Energy Assessment (REA)) Program
Summary: New version of REA Excel Tool released, Use prior too (May 2022) release to initiate loans at this time
Contact: Email [email protected]

A new version of the REA Excel-based audit tool, dated 9.6.22, has been released and will be available for download from https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Become-a-Contractor/Become-a-Participating-Auditor by Friday, September 9, 2022.  

More information about this version of the REA Tool may be found online:

• Participating contractors who initiate Green Jobs – Green New York loan applications should use the prior version of the REA tool (May 2022) until the new Web ProForma Plus is released. The 9.6.22 version of the REA tool is compatible with the upcoming new Web ProForma Plus workflow.
• Participating contractors who don’t source Green Jobs – Green New York loans may start using the new REA tool immediately.

To: All Participating Contractors
Regarding Programs: Residential Energy Assessment (REA)) Program
Summary: New version of REA Excel Tool released, Use prior too (May 2022) release to initiate loans at this time
Contact: Email [email protected]

A new version of the REA Excel-based audit tool, dated 9.6.22, has been released and will be available for download from https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Become-a-Contractor/Become-a-Participating-Auditor by Friday, September 9, 2022.   More information about this version of the REA Tool may be found here: http://www.hpwescontractorsupport/program-announcements/08252022-02/

9. Participating contractors who initiate Green Jobs – Green New York loan applications should use the prior version of the REA tool (May 2022) until the new Web ProForma Plus is released. The 9.6.22 version of the REA tool is compatible with the upcoming new Web ProForma Plus workflow.
10. Participating contractors who don’t source Green Jobs – Green New York loans may start using the new REA tool immediately.

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