Tag: EmPower+

Program: EmPower+ 
To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors  
Summary: Rental Agreement and Project Assignment
Contact with Questions: 1-866-NYSERDA or email at info.residential@nyserda.ny.gov  

This is a reminder on the rules around rentals and the responsibility of Participating Contractors to verify ownership with the landlord/building owner. When an application for a rental unit is received, if a Rental Property Services Agreement (Landlord Agreement) is not provided with the application, TRC will reach out to the building owner to have this document signed and returned to the Program. If a landlord agreement not received, then the project will be assigned as a direct install only project. If a landlord agreement is received, then the project can be assigned as a full comprehensive project.

If the project is assigned as full comprehensive, it is still the responsibility of the Participating Contractor to verify ownership of the project. Per Section 5.17 of the Program Manual:

“In rental properties, the participating contractor must ensure that the building owner signs a Rental Property Energy Efficiency Services Agreement, found in Section 3 of the Program Manual prior to completing any invasive work and attest to the review of documentation that proves home ownership (deed, mortgage book, tax bill, etc.). Otherwise, measures are limited to non-invasive direct install/electric reduction measures.”

If there are any questions, please contact the Program at 1-866-NYSERDA or email at info.residential@nyserda.ny.gov  

Program/s: EmPower+ 
To: EmPower+ and Comfort Home Participating Contractors
Summary: Minimum Production Evaluation
Contact with Questions: support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov

Currently, NYSERDA is reviewing EmPower+ and Comfort Home Participating Contractor production numbers for 2024.  To maintain quality services, NYSERDA requires each contractor complete a minimum number of projects each year. Each program’s production requirements are summarized below:

• Comfort Home: Minimum of 12 Comfort Home project completion project annually
• EmPower+:  A minimum of twelve (12) completed projects or at least $100,000 in completed, eligible work through NYSERDA’s residential programs. This can include a combined 12 projects/audit completions through participation in one or more of the following programs:
  • EmPower+
  • Comfort Home
  • NY Sun
  • Residential Energy Assessments

Following review of the production data, NYSERDA will begin outreach to contractors not meeting minimum production requirements on the next steps.

If there are any questions, please contact support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov.

Program/s: EmPower+ 
To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors and Hubs
Summary: Income Documentation Reminder
Contact with Questions: info.residential@nyserda.ny.gov

A Program reminder for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits and how each impacts EmPower+ eligibility. 

For the purposes of EmPower+ income qualification, if an applicant provides an SSI benefits letter, the household is considered categorically eligible for EmPower+ and no additional income documentation is required. An SSI benefits letter will be from the Social Security Administration and will clearly state what the Supplemental Security Income monthly benefit is.

If a household provides an SSA benefits letter, this encompasses Social Security income from retirement, disability, or survivor benefits. SSA benefits are considered standard income and must be reported along with all other household income before an income eligibility determination can be made.

This was covered on the April 4, 2025 and May 2, 2025, contractor check in webinars, which also provided examples of the award letters for reference.

 If there are any questions on income documentation, please reach out to TRC at info.residential@nyserda.ny.gov or call 1-866-NYSERDA.

Program/s: EmPower+ 
To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors
Summary: Quarterly Certification Audit – Find-A-Contractor Site
Contact with Questions: Elizabeth.Lazarou@nyserda.ny.gov

To ensure our records are current, we are conducting a quarterly review of EmPower+ Participating Contractor certifications. We ask that you take a moment to review your information on the EmPower+ site on behalf of your company, and respond with any changes by May 23.

Per Section 5.2 of the Program Manual:

“The participating contractor shall provide NYSERDA written documentation identifying each certified individual and copies of their certifications. This is inclusive of staff who will be onsite in a customer’s home and not office staff or other support staff not at project locations. As an ongoing requirement, the participating contractor shall immediately inform the Program of any change to the list of certified staff.”

If there are any questions or if you need to provide updated certification information, please contact Elizabeth.Lazarou@nyserda.ny.gov.