Program/s: EmPower+, Comfort Home To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors Summary: BPI Training Contact: Steve Levey at slevy@bpi.org or by phone at 518-899-2727 x103.
In recent conversations with Participating Contractors, it has been reported that contractors are having a difficult time finding local Building Performance Institute (BPI) training classes. If Participating Contractors are in need assistance with locating a BPI Test Center near them for training or testing, they are welcome to reach out to Steve Levy at BPI. Steve can provide support and guidance by directly reaching out to our network to find a solution.
Steve can be reached via email at slevy@bpi.org or by phone at 518-899-2727 x103.
Programs: EmPower+ To: Participating Contractors; Clean Energy Hubs Summary: Pending Program Changes Questions: If there are any questions, please contact Contractor Support at 1-800-284-9069
To maintain program continuity and ensure equitable access to incentives, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is, implementing the following changes to the EmPower+ program. The changes are designed to provide greater certainty for contractors and customers by managing the flow of projects in alignment with available budgets while prioritizing customer needs.
NYSERDA will be reviewing changes in more detail during the July 11, 2025, Contractor Check-in Webinar.
The changes will be effective for work scope submissions beginning August 1, 2025.
Moving forward, we will have a robust stakeholder process on how to create a sustainable program for the future, while adapting EmPower+ to the new Energy Efficiency/Building Electrification (EE/BE) Order from the New York State Public Service Commission.
Changes to the EmPower+ Program
Furnaces and Boilers
EmPower+ will no longer provide program incentives for the following fossil-fuel heating equipment and relatedmeasures:
Boilers and Furnaces
Clean and Tunes
Heating System Repairs
NYSERDA is exploring options to offer a limited budget for No-Heat replacements which occur during the heating season (October 1-April 30) and will provide additional information in a future announcement. Participating Contractors with fossil-fuel heating measures have until August 1, 2025, to submit these projects to the Program.
2. Project Level Caps
Effective for work scope submissions beginning August 1, 2025, EmPower+ program funding caps will be enforced per the table below. There will be no exceptions for exceeding the EmPower+ funding caps (Tertiary approvals will no longer be available).
The Program expects contractors to use the least cost insulation that is appropriate to the application to help keep total project costs and customer co-pays as low as reasonably possible.
In the event the household needs work that exceeds the EmPower + Program funding caps above, potential options to address the funding gap are provided below:
Leverage low-interest financing through Green Jobs Green New York
Consult the local Clean Energy Hub for additional funding opportunities in your area.
Encourage the household to apply to the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) for project coordination with EmPower+
Reapply to EmPower+ after the Program look-back date has passed. Currently, there is a one year look back for a household to reapply after their funding cap has been met.
3. Applications
To manage the volume of incoming EmPower+ applications within the available budget, Participating Contractors will not be permitted to submit applications on behalf of customers from August 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. This includes submissions via the Salesforce portal, MyEnergy, or mail. Customers may still select a Participating Contractor as part of the application process, and CLEAResult will assign the customer to the selected contractor accordingly.
We will reassess the application submission process based on feedback gathered through upcoming stakeholder engagement sessions.
As indicated above, NYSERDA Program staff will be covering these changes and encourage Participating Contractors and Clean Energy Hubs to participate on the July 11, 2025, Contractor Webinar.
Program/s: Comfort Home To: Participating Contractors Summary: NYHEP Tips for Comfort Home Contractors Contact with Questions:support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov
The Comfort Home Team has updated the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document with tips for the Comfort Home NYHEP workflow. The FAQ is available on the Contractor Support website: Go to https://hpwescontractorsupport.com/, point to the Program Resources dropdown menu, then click on the Comfort Home Resources option.
Program/s: EmPower+ To: Participating Contractors and Clean Energy Hubs Summary: MyEnergy Portal Training Session Registration Contact with Questions:support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov
A training session to familiarize you with the MyEnergy Portal and its recent updates will be held in late July for Regional Clean Energy Hubs. The MyEnergy Portal enables New York State customers to apply and receive rebates for the new Appliance Upgrade Program (AUP), connect with Participating Contractors, Participating Retailers (AUP only), and Regional Clean Energy Hubs.
Training Sessions
Regional Clean Energy Hubs
Training Session: Wednesday, July 30 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. ET (Register Here)
Additional Support: If assistance is needed with the MyEnergy portal please submit the request support form on MyEnergy. A NYSERDA representative will be sent an email on your behalf.
Program/s: EmPower+, Weatherization Assistance Program To: Participating Contractors, Clean Energy Hubs Summary: Closing Date for the 2024-2025 HEAP Cooling Assistance Component Contact: HEAP Bureau (518) 473-0332 or NYSHEAP@otda.ny.gov
Section 2 – Cooling Assistance Component (CAC) Dates of Operation
The 2024-2025 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) CAC stopped accepting applications on June 23, 2025. Any applications received after the CAC closing date must be denied using the Client Notice System (CNS) closing code M09 “Cooling Benefit Denial” or the Home Energy Assistance Program Notice of Eligibility Decision – Denial (LDSS 3494B).
All HEAP CAC applications must be processed in accordance with instructions found in 25DC026, 24-LCM-15, and the HEAP Manual. Vendors must submit final bills to social services districts (districts) within 30 business days of services rendered, but no later than September 30, 2025.
Section 3 – Additional Guidance for Districts
Districts are reminded to continue submitting their HEAP Pending Case Report on a weekly basis, as outlined in 24-LCM-15 and 25DC026.
Households who requested CAC after the closing date of June 23, 2025, should be provided with resources on managing extreme heat, including information on any local cooling centers.
Please see the following websites for some helpful information:
Extreme Heat Advice – Department of Health website that includes information on extreme heat, such as how to determine the heat risk by zip code and a link to locate local cooling centers.
Extreme Heat and Your Health – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website that includes tips and suggestions for managing and preventing heat-related illnesses.
