Tag: EmPower+

Programs: EmPower+, Weatherization Assistance Program
To: Participating Contractors; Clean Energy Hubs
Summary: Combined EmPower+/WAP Application
Questions: If there are any questions, please contact 1-866-NYSERDA

NYSERDA and New York State Homes and Community Renewal have made available an updated joint application to allow for households to apply to both EmPower+ and Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) using a single application. Contractors with households looking to apply for both programs should begin using this updated version immediately. The application can be found in Section 3 of the Program Manual. This joint application is only available in hardcopy and must be mailed in for processing to the address on the cover page.

Program will continue to accept previous versions of the joint application through the end of June.

Beginning July 1, 2025, only the updated version of the application will be accepted.

If there are any questions, please reach out to 1-866-NYSERDA

Programs: EmPower+
To: Participating Contractors; Clean Energy Hubs
Summary: Building Type and Unit Numbers
Questions: If there are any questions, please contact 1-866-NYSERDA

For two- to four-family homes, the EmPower+ program has identified a significant number of enrollments with incorrect, missing, or mismatching building type and/or unit numbers. It is important that these fields are correct as they impact NYSERDA’s mandatory reporting requirements. An example of incorrect building type can include an application with a building type listed as “single-family” and an address indicator of “Unit-2”.

It is understood that many of these are the result of applicants incorrectly identifying the building type or omitting unit numbers. NYSERDA is asking for Clean Energy Hubs and Participating Contractors working with applicants to ensure these fields are correct prior to application submission.

In the event an incorrect building type or unit number is encountered, please take action per the project stage as follows:

Stage: Application Not Approved

• For applications that have not been approved, in Salesforce: Navigate to application Step 1, enter unit number under Address 2 and amend property type at the bottom of step 1

Stage: Application Approved, Workscope Not Submitted

• Email info.residential@nyserda.ny.gov with the updates so the processing team can update in the portal on your behalf. Provide the unit/apartment number, how many units are in the building, and if any of those units have existing applications (if known)

Stage: Workscope Submission

Updating Building Type

1. Open the enrollment workflow, and navigate to the Workscope Submission Step.
2. Open the Existing Conditions tab.
3. In the Dwelling Information section, update the “Dwelling Type” using the dropdown menu.

4. Click Save. 
5. Add a note explaining that the dwelling type was updated. Save the note.

Stage: Workscope Submission

Updating Unit/Apt/Floor Numbers

1. Open the enrollment workflow and navigate to the Workscope Submission Step.
2. Open the Applicant Information tab.
3. In the Installation Address section, enter the appropriate unit/apt/floor number in the Unit Field.

4. In the Mailing Address section, enter the appropriate unit/apt/floor number in the Unit field.

5. Click Save.

6. While still in the Workscope Submission Step, open the Notes tab and enter a note that the unit/apartment/floor number was updated. Save the note.

OR

7. Email support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov or call Contractor Support to request that the team update the customer’s account to show the correct unit/apartment/floor number.

Program/s: EmPower+
To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors and Hubs
Summary: Updates to Multi-Unit Enrollment Submissions
Contact: Contractor Support at 1-800-284-9069 or support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov

Updates have been made to the requirements for EmPower+ multi-unit enrollment submissions in the New York Home Energy Portal (NYHEP). The updates are as follows:

• Measures must be specific to the individual unit and modeled on the unit that is receiving the benefit of the installed measure.
• NYHEP modeling should be accurate to the unit, not the entire building.
• All units in a multi-unit building should be submitted at the same time, and addresses should be accurate, including unit numbers where applicable. Any additional information contractors can provide is encouraged to be included. This will ensure a comprehensive project is proposed for the whole property, and limit processing delays.

This was discussed during the monthly contractor webinar on June 6th. Please reach out to Contractor Support at 1-800-284-9069 with any questions.

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