Tag: EmPower+

Contractor Support website redesigned and launched

To: All Participating Contractors
Regarding Programs: EmPower NY and Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR
Summary: Contractor Support website redesigned and launched.
Contact: Reach out to your Account Manager or contact Contractor Support at 800-284-9069 or support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov.

The Contractor Support website was redesigned and launched with the following improvements:

1. Easier Navigation
   • Two menus; one along the top and another on the left side of page
   • Top menu contains links to external sites and who to contact
   • Left menu has simplified list and limited sub-sections
2. Better Search functionality
   • Boolean operators (AND, OR and NOT)
   • Search by Tag – posts are tagged with key words for single click searches
3. Forms page
   • All forms hyperlinked and listed on a single page, categorized by project submission stage
4. Calendar subscription
   • Sync the Contractor Support calendar to your company/personal calendar app

New Participation Agreement and Required Application-ACTION REQUIRED!

To: All Participating Contractors
Regarding Programs: EmPower NY and Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR
Summary: New Participation Agreement and Required Application-ACTION REQUIRED!
Contact:residential.programs@nyserda.ny.gov

The current Participation Agreement for the EmPower NY (EmPower), Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR^® (AHP) and Comfort Home programs expires on September 30, 2022. The new Participation Agreement and Contractor Application is available now and must be submitted by September 30, 2022, to ensure seamless participation in NYSERDA’s programs.

As announced previously, there is one Residential Contractor Participation Agreement (Participation Agreement/PA) that is applicable to all of NYSERDA’s residential energy efficiency programs. This allows for a single document outlining the terms and conditions of NYSERDA program participation. Specific rules, procedures and policies for each individual program are available in program specific manual, which continue to be separate documents.

Please note, this updated PA is not applicable for EmPower NY Appliance Vendors. The existing process remains in place for Appliance Vendors and an updated Vendor Agreement will be available in the upcoming weeks.

To Re-apply for EmPower/AHP:

• For current Participating Contractors, make sure to select that you are a “New Applicant” on the Contractor Application (see red box below). Please note, failure to follow these instructions will result in your application being delayed.
• Please select all programs you are applying for – regardless of your existing participation status

• The new Participation Agreement opens up participation in the Comfort Home to all contractors. If you wish to enroll in Comfort Home, review the Comfort Home Pilot Manual and select that option when you submit your new application.
• When reapplying for EmPower and AHP, current contractors will need to provide the following documentation:
  • Completed and signed Contractor Application
  • Current Certificate of Insurance w/ NYSERDA and the State of New York named as additional insured and NYSERDA and the State of New York as the Certificate Holder per the below. Please note, NYSERDA requires updated insurance certificate submissions, regardless of any documents currently on file.

• Optional: Submit a Supplemental Information Form found in Section 2 of the Program Manual if you need to update staff or contact information.

Once completed, Contractor Application and supporting documents can be sent to:

For EmPower and AHP Participating Contractors, the Program Manual is available for contractors on the HPwES Contractor Support Site.

For questions, please contact residential.programs@nyserda.ny.gov or reach out to your account manager.

NYSERDA will be reinstating the 120-day completion goal

To: Participating AHP and EmPower Contractors
Regarding Programs: AHP and EmPower New York
Summary: NYSERDA will be reinstating the 120-day completion goal
Contact: support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov; Questions can also be address with your account manager

In March of 2020, in response to COVID-19 and the statewide work pause, NYSERDA suspended Program project deadlines. Following the return to work, contractors still faced scheduling conflicts and supply chain issues, so NYSERDA kept the completion deadline suspension in place. NYSERDA is looking to gradually reinstate project completion deadlines to ensure projects are closed out in a timely manner. Related to this, CLEAResult has been reaching out contractors to have them prioritize their work in progress projects and close out any old projects that won’t be moving forward.

Starting January 1, 2023, the Program will reinstate the 120-day project completion goal. Please review the following dates for Project completion submission:

• Projects started before January 1, 2022, will need to be completed by January 1, 2023.
• Projects started before January 1, 2023, will need to be completed by May 1, 2023.
• Projects started after January 1, 2023, should be completed within the 120-day period used in the past.

We understand that there may be instances where a project cannot be completed within the timeframes referenced above. Contractors should document in the project notes in Uplight if a project can’t be completed within the timeframe. For any questions, please reach out to your account manager or support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov.