Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to footer

Tag: Announcement

Program Announcements

To: All Comfort Home Contractors
Summary: Program Announcements
Contact with Questions:  Contractor Support at 1-800-284-9069 or support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov

  1. EmPower+ customers are not eligible for additional air-sealing or insulation through Comfort Home. Comfort Home is designed for market-rate customers, not income-eligible customers. The Program Manual states that “The Comfort Home Pilot has specific goals directed ONLY for market-rate customers. Income-eligible customers are encouraged to seek assistance through EmPower+ program for air-sealing and insulation measures.” The only time that an EmPower+ customer can have a follow-up Comfort Home project is if the walls, attic, basement are all up to code from an EmPower+ project and Comfort Home is used for package C for windows. These projects are eligible for $1,000 if the EmPower+ project was less than a year ago and $2,000 if the EmPower+ project was more than a year ago.
  2. The Comfort Home Program Manual has been updated. The current version is dated October 2025 and is available for download from the Contractor Support Site at https://hpwescontractorsupport.com/program-resources/comfort-home-resources/.

The changes in this version include:

  • Section 2.1 updated minimum requirements for shell/envelope contractors
  • Section 3.2 updated incentive language in first paragraph and Table 1
  • Clarified in section 3.2.1 that packages may only be incentivized once per home.
  • Added section 3.3 Workscope Contract
  • Section 4.2 updated attic insulation R-value to R-40
  • Section 4.2 added clarification on two-part spray foam
  • Added section 4.2.1 to document inaccessibility and project eligibility
  • Section 5.3 added clarification on definition of customer in Customer Utility Release Form
  • Added Table 5 Scenarios for NYHEP enrollments-landlord/tenants
  • Section 9 Contact Information updated Keith Bohling phone number
  • Removed ConEd Westchester Incentive link from Table 7
  • Added Appendix A: Electronic Signature Policy
  • Added Appendix B: Sample Contract and Workscope

Comfort Home Updates

Program/s: Comfort Home
To: All Comfort Home Contractors
Summary: Comfort Home Updates
Contact with Questions: Please reach out to Contractor Support at 1-800-284-9069 with any questions

Details:

  1. Photos are required for Comfort Home projects with:
    1. Attic work that’s requesting package B incentives for “wall” work. Before and after photos of the walls are required. Applies to gable end walls, knee walls, cheek walls, access stair walls, etc.
    2. Dense-packing above-grade exterior walls. Per Program Announcement from November 2024: Work scope 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. Building component example that does NOT qualify: 2×4 wall cavity that has two 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.
  2. To help in situations where the blower door test might not be performed in the first assessment visit (customer doesn’t commit to work): The assessment blower door test incentive is being adjusted to include blower door test done before work and before assessment submission in the New York Home Energy Portal (NYHEP).
  3. If Calculate Savings fails fast with a generic error, check the ZIP Code. Check the Installation Address ZIP Code on the Applicant Information page for a typo. Enter the full address into Google to see if the result comes back with the same ZIP Code or an adjusted ZIP Code.
  4. Ensure that uploaded documents are attached in the right slot in NYHEP. Use the Customer Release Form slot to upload the release form. Don’t use the New button or Other Attachments slot and try to label the upload as the release form. NYHEP still sees the Customer Release Form upload slot as empty and will enforce an upload there. The same applies to the Load Reduction Contract.
  5. A second project for the same home is eligible for a total of $1,000 incentive if completed within a year of the first project and a total of $2,000 incentive if completed more than a year after the first project.
  6. CLEAResult will now be looking for prior projects during Assessment Review and advising, via Notes, if a prior project is found and what package was installed. This will provide notice of incentive expectations sooner than Install Review.
  7. Comfort Home package incentives apply when the home is improved to meet all of the performance criteria in the applicable package. The incentives are not based on how much of an area is treated. If the whole attic isn’t improved, then the project isn’t eligible for Comfort Home. If the rim joist isn’t accessible and hasn’t been air-sealed and insulated, then the project isn’t eligible for Comfort Home. An exception of less than 10% may be allowed for a small inaccessible area or small decked area of an attic floor. If you have any questions about whether a potential project is eligible, please reach out to Contractor Support at Support.Residential@nyserda.ny.gov.

These updates were covered during the October NYSERDA Home Modernization Monthly Contractor Webinar.

NYSERDA Home Modernization Monthly Contractor Webinar

Program/s: EmPower+, Residential Energy Assessments, Comfort Home
To: Participating Contractors
Summary: Monthly Contractor Update
Contact with Questions: residential.programs@nyserda.ny.gov

NYSERDA Home Modernization Monthly Contractor Webinar
Friday, November 7, 2025
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. ET

Webinar number: 2538 916 5659
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.

All webinars are recorded and links to the recordings are available on the Contractor Support site.

EmPower+ Mass Media Approval Deadline

To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors
Summary: EmPower+ Mass Media Approval Deadline
Questions: Uthman.Aziz@nyserda.ny.gov

Historically the Home Modernization team has worked with participating contractors to advance and promote the EmPower+ program through various advertising channels. Effective October 27, 2025, no new mass media advertising (TV, radio, print, social media, etc.) specifically calling out EmPower+ or its program offerings will be approved.  Any advertising approved prior to Oct. 27, may run through existing contracted completion dates. 

Flyers or similar materials distributed by contractors to customers will continue to be reviewed by NYSERDA on a case-by-case basis by submitting copies to uthman.aziz@nyserda.ny.gov for prior approval.

KEDLI HEAT Transition to EmPower+ Webinar

To: Participating Contractors
Regarding Programs: EmPower+
Summary: KEDLI HEAT Transition to EmPower+ Webinar
Contact: Contractor Support at (800) 284-9069 or support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov

The KEDLI HEAT program will close by December 31, 2025. Concurrently, NYSERDA’s EmPower+ program will expand to serve eligible gas customers located in KEDLI’s service territory through its standard program offering. NYSERDA will begin taking applications for Long Island gas customers in EmPower+ beginning November 1, 2025.

All webinars are recorded and links to the recordings are available on the Contractor Support site.