Tag: Comfort Home

Program: Comfort Home
To: All Comfort Home Contractors
Summary: Reminder about knob-and-tube wiring
Contact with Questions:  1-888-406-4009 or Comforthome@nyserda.ny.gov

• When insulating, ensure that no insulation is in direct contact with knob-and-tube wiring.
• Comfort Home packages require complete measure installation.  If 90% or more of attic can be air-sealed and insulated, then the project is eligible for Comfort Home.
• A home with knob-and-tube wiring in the attic that doesn’t allow at least 90% of the attic insulation to be installed is not eligible for Comfort Home.
• A home with knob-and-tube wiring in the walls is not eligible for Comfort Home Package B (Good Package).

Program: Comfort Home
To: All Comfort Home Contractors
Summary: Clarification of how multi-unit buildings should be handled for Comfort Home:  The number of heating systems will determine how many “projects” and how many incentives will be applicable.
Contact with Questions:  1-888-406-4009 or Comforthome@nyserda.ny.gov

If the whole building is heated with one system, then the whole building is entered into Compass as one project: 

• One incentive will apply for the whole building. 
• All areas must be upgraded in order for the building to qualify for Comfort Home incentives. 
• If package A is proposed, the entire attic must be air-sealed and insulated, even if the attic spans two units.
• If package B with wall insulation is proposed, all above grade exterior walls must be insulated.

Multi-unit buildings that have separate space heating systems for each unit are eligible for separate Comfort Home incentives for each unit:

• Each unit should be entered as a separate project in Compass.
• Each project should use the conditioned floor area associated with that unit.
• Each project should include details about the HVAC and water heating system associated with that unit. 
• Each project should use the improved “areas” (insulation, air sealing, windows, etc.) associated with that unit.
• Each project should use the actual attic area over the unit. 
• Each project should use the actual basement square footage and rim joist length for the portion under the unit.
• Each project should use the actual floor square footage for foundation ceiling if insulating the basement ceiling for the unit.
• A second-floor unit should identify its basement/foundation as “conditioned”.
• A first-floor unit with a second-floor unit above it should list attic insulation as “>=R38” and the grade as “<10% Voids or Compression”.