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Tag: Announcement

EmPower+ incentives for PSEG customers

Program/s: EmPower+
To: EmPower+ Contractors
Summary: EmPower+ incentives for PSEG customers
Questions: If there are any questions, please contact Contractor Support

Starting May 18, 2026, the total amount of incentives received from PSEG Home Comfort and Home Performance programs for Low- and Moderate-income customers will be deducted from the EmPower+ downstate incentive caps of $14,000 for low-income households and $7,000 for moderate income households.

When proposing a project for PSEG customers, the contractor will be required to supply the awards letter or letters for the Home Comfort and Home Performance Programs when submitting documents to NYHEP. The contractor should also include the PSEG incentive amounts in the utility section of the individual measure. NYHEP will then deduct these amounts from the possible incentive. This deduction in incentive will not affect the $14,000 IRA project cap. The contractor support site will have a copy of an April 3 webinar detailing how these incentives will be applied.

On April 21st there was a joint PSEG/NYSERDA webinar to review the new program rules and answer questions

If there are any questions, please reach out to support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov or call (800)- 284-9069.

March 2026 Version of the Utility Release Form

Program/s: Comfort Home
To: All Comfort Home Contractors
Summary: March 2026 Version of the Utility Release Form
Contact with Questions: keith.bohling@nyserda.ny.gov

Comfort Home has released the March 2026 version of the Utility Release Form, which updates the designation for account and POD numbers. The change aligns the form with the NYHEP changes made in late 2025 where the same fields are required. Account numbers are always required and POD numbers are also required when the customer’s electric provider is NYSEG, RG&E, or Central Hudson. The new form can be identified with a version date of “3/2026” in the footer at the bottom of page 2.

Contractors should use the new form for customer signatures going forward. Customers who already signed the old form do not need to sign the new form. For signatures already obtained, a new signature on the new form is not required.

Updated Quality Assurance Follow-Up Process

Program/s: Comfort Home
To: All Comfort Home Contractors
Summary: Updated Quality Assurance Follow-Up Process
Contact with Questions: keith.bohling@nyserda.ny.gov

As of March 13, 2026, the Comfort Home Quality Assurance (QA) inspection follow-up processes have transitioned to CLEAResult. To make the process smoother, the Comfort Home SharePoint Contractor Document Libraries will no longer be used. Contractors will continue to receive a copy of the report via email for each completed QA inspection.

To inquire about an inspection result or provide updates for a failed inspection, send an email to support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov with the subject line of ‘Comfort Home QA – [enrollment #]’. When non-conformances have been resolved, attach photos of the resolution to your email.

Updated Program Manual Published

Program/s: Comfort Home
To: All Comfort Home Contractors
Summary: Updated Program Manual Published
Contact with Questions: keith.bohling@nyserda.ny.gov

On March 18, 2026, NYSERDA published an update to the Comfort Home Pilot Program Manual. It is available for download from the Comfort Home Resources page of the Contractor Support Site (https://hpwescontractorsupport.com/program-resources/comfort-home-resources/). 

The March 18, 2026 version includes the following updates:

  • Section 4.1 (Air Sealing) added to clarify requirements
  • Section 4.2 (Envelope/Load Reduction Requirements) updated to add infiltration specifications
  • Section 4.2 updated to explicitly define program requirements If there are multiple foundation types in a home.
  • Section 4.4 (Photo Requirements) added. No new requirements were introduced. This section documents requirements introduced with program announcements
  • Section 5.1.1 (Eligibility) clarified, option for former income-eligible customers to participate in Comfort Home added.

Funding through NYSERDA’s On-the-Job Training Program

Program/s: All NYSERDA Residential Programs
To: Participating Contractors
Summary: Funding through NYSERDA’s On-the-Job Training Program
Contact with Questions:  PONOJT@nyserda.ny.gov

NYSERDA’s On-the-Job Training Program (PON 3982), updated earlier this year, is accepting new applications. Businesses can receive wage subsidies to reduce the financial risk of hiring and training new workers and earn incentives for industry certifications their new hire earns.

Funding of up to $11,000 per new hire is available when hiring residents of disadvantaged communities, as defined by the New York Climate Justice Working Group, or members of priority populations. Funding of up to $8,500 per new hire is available for hiring other eligible individuals. A summary of revisions outlining changes from the prior version of the On-the-Job Training Program can be found on the solicitation page.

For more information about the On-the-Job Training Program, please visit NYSERDA’s webpage.

Questions about the On-the-Job Program requirements or steps to participate? NYSERDA holds monthly virtual office hours for program participants and those interested in learning more about the program.

Office Hours: Third Thursday of each month, 2:00-3:00 PM ET. Register: https://forms.office.com/g/0vW7FChZtK