Program Announcements from 11/07/2024 to 11/24/2024

Program/s: EmPower+, Residential Energy Assessments, Comfort Home
To: Participating Contractors
Summary: Monthly Contractor Update
Contact with Questions: [email protected]

NYSERDA Single Family Programs Update
Friday, December 6, 2024
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. ET
Webinar number: 2530 210 6838
Event password: Energy1

All attendees must register prior to joining the event. This process will allow you to add the meeting to your calendar and provides each individual with a custom link to join the meeting. Please do not share your link with anyone. To register, please click here.

Program/s: All
To: Participating Contractors
Summary: NYSERDA Program Contractors Heat Pump Training Series
Contact with Questions: [email protected]

REGISTER NOW

NYSERDA is hosting a series of Heat Pump trainings for Participating Contractors. Please see the scheduled dates below. Recordings of the trainings will be available on the contractor support site.

All attendees must register prior to joining the event. This process will allow you to add the meeting to your calendar and provides each individual with a custom link to join the meeting. Please do not share your link with anyone.

Please visit contractor support to register for upcoming dates.

If there are any questions, please reach out to  [email protected].

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

Beginning December 1, 2024, the EmPower+ 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+ 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+. 

• 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. 

Program/s: EmPower+  
To: Participating Contractors 
Summary: EmPower+ Program Prior Services Check 
Questions: Please Contact Contractor Support at 1-800-284-9069 

In May 2024, in conjunction with the launch of IRA incentives, NYSERDA removed the three-year look back requirement as part of the EmPower+ application process. The three-year look back was initially established to limit a household that had reached the Program incentive cap from participating in EmPower+ again until three years had passed. The removal of the look back requirement allows households to realize more energy savings in a shorter time frame by removing the three-year wait between EmPower+ projects.  

With the removal of the three-year look back, NYSERDA has implemented a prior services check. The purpose of this check is to ensure that the measures a participating contractor is proposing on an EmPower+ project are not duplicative of work that has been recently completed. Upon submission of an EmPower+ Application, TRC will note in the application file if an EmPower+ project was recently completed. When the application information is sent to NYHEP, CLEAResult will be notified that a recent EmPower+ project has been completed and they will ensure that the measures being proposed on the new project were not incentivized on a recently installed project.  

If a participating contractor is planning on multiple projects at a household, the expectation is that the projects will follow a logical progression. For example, if the initial project includes $3,000 in air-sealing measures to prepare the home for a heat pump, the follow up project should not include an additional $6,000 in air-sealing, it should be focusing on the heat pump equipment.  In addition, the participating contractor should not be charging for an additional audit. If the follow-on project is occurring within a reasonable time frame and there has been no significant changes at the residence, the contractor should be using the test-out information from the previous project.  Likewise, energy education and direct install measures should not be charged to the second project as these measures should have been covered in the first project.  

In addition, when multiple projects for the same address are to be submitted to the Program each individual project must stand on its own. Savings from the previous project cannot be leveraged to make the subsequent project meet Program requirements.  

Finally, there can be only one open EmPower+ project at a residence at any given time. If a project is open and an EmPower+ Application is received for the residence from either the existing participating contractor or a new participating contractor the application will be denied until the existing EmPower+ project is completed.   If there are any questions, please contact Contractor Support at 1-800-284-9069. 

Program/s: EmPower+
To: Participating Contractors
Summary: MyEnergy portal now live for AUP on October 28, 2024. EmPower+ will go-live on November 21, 2024
Contact with Questions: Please contact [email protected]

As previously announced, NYSERDA has launched MyEnergy, a platform designed to enhance residential customer engagement with home and building clean energy improvements. The Appliance Upgrade Program at MyEnergy launched on October 28, 2024, with EmPower+ functionality available on November 21, 2024.

Effective November 21, 2024, EmPower+ contractors can use MyEnergy to complete the following actions:

· Start new EmPower+ application on behalf of a resident

· Access previously submitted EmPower+ applications

· Determine a resident’s eligibility for EmPower+ and Appliance Upgrade Program

· Submit Appliance Upgrade Program sales documentation

· Get support by submitting questions regarding NYSERDA programs, applications, or support with MyEnergy

Training Opportunities: Training opportunities have begun and will continue in November for Participating Contractors and Regional Clean Energy Hubs.

This training will equip participants to effectively navigate and utilize MyEnergy, a portal designed to enhance residential customer engagement with home and building energy efficiency and clean energy improvements. The initial rollout of MyEnergy will support New York households by enabling residents to qualify for home energy improvement incentives, apply for incentive programs, including EmPower+ and the new Appliance Upgrade Program, and connect with Installation Contractors, Participating Retailers, and Regional Clean Energy Hubs.

Register for upcoming training sessions:

• Training Session 4: Thursday, November 7 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. ET Register here

Additional trainings and Office Hours will be announced in the coming weeks.

If there are any questions, please contact Contractor Support at 1-800-284-9069 or email [email protected]

Important Considerations:

• Comfort Home Applications: Applications for the Comfort Home Program will be available on MyEnergy in 2025. In the meantime, residents eligible for the Comfort Home program will be guided to NYSERDA’s Find a Contractor page. From there, they can connect with a certified contractor who will assist in conducting an assessment and identifying potential energy-saving projects.
• Multifamily Residential Program: Applications for the Multifamily Residential Program will be available on MyEnergy in 2025. A separate communication will be distributed for this effort.

MyEnergy Recorded Demonstrations and Trainings:

During our Contractor Check-In on September 9, 2024, we conducted a demonstration of MyEnergy where we highlighted the numerous benefits of the platform. The session covered essential topics such as navigating the interface, submitting applications, and more! A link to watch the demonstration will be available soon. 

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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