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Tag: EmPower+

Additional “Don’t Be Left Exposed” – Spray Foam Training

Program/s: EmPower+
To: EmPower+ Contractors
Summary: Additional Don’t Be Left Exposed – Spray Foam Training
Contact with Questions: Matthew Houle

Details: Numerous contractors have contacted Program staff regarding the need for an additional Don’t Be Left Exposed training. NYSERDA has scheduled one last live training for September 26th, Part 1 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and Part 2 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. ET. This training is required for all spray foam contractors as part of the certification requirements.

Please see links below to register for the training. The record version of the training will be added to the program manual soon.

Part 1 https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/1852496123200937822
Part 2 https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/9142122975425646682

Reminder of Required Spray Foam Training-Due October 2025

Program: EmPower+ and Comfort Home
To: EmPower+ and Comfort Home Participating Contractors
Summary: Reminder of Required Spray Foam Training-Due October 2025
Contact with Questions: Contract Support at (800) 284-9069 or email at support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov

This is a reminder for Participating Contractors installing spray foam through EmPower+ or Comfort Home. NYSERDA is requiring training for individuals working on spray foam projects to be completed no later than October 1, 2025. A list of the required training for Field Employees, Applicators, Crew Leaders, and Auditors can be found on the contractor support site.

Contractors are required to keep documentation of the trainings, including the training title, staff names, and dates the training was completed.

Contractors will need to submit a signed attestation verifying their company meets the new training requirements. Once completed, contractors may submit the attestation form to support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov.

Information on the Spray Foam Training Requirements was provided as part of the November 1, 2024, Contractor Check-in Webinar, which was recorded.

If you have any questions, please contact Contractor Support at 800- 284–9069 or email at support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov.

Vacant Unit Clarifications

Program: EmPower+
To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors
Summary: Vacant Unit Clarifications, Effective Immediately
Contact with Questions: Support at info.residential@nyserda.ny.gov or 1-866-NYSERDA

EmPower+ is providing updated clarification for vacant units in 1-4 family properties. The following has been added to Section 5.19 in the Program Manual:

If there is one vacant unit in the building, the building owner’s income will be used to qualify the vacant unit. If 50% or more of the units are vacant, only the units that are income qualified can be served. IRA funding may only be applied to occupied and income eligible units. If there are any questions, please reach to Support at info.residential@nyserda.ny.gov or 1-866-NYSERDA.

EmPower+ Application Submission Guidance

Program: EmPower+
To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors and Hubs
Summary: EmPower+ Application Submission Guidance
Contact with Questions: info.residential@nyserda.ny.gov

With the temporary suspension of an EmPower+ contractor’s ability to submit applications on behalf of a customer, the Program would like to remind Participating Contractors that they should only be sending customers to the Hubs when the customer needs specific assistance offered by that Hub. This can include assistance with a specific language translation, if available from the Hub, or technological assistance if the customer wants to submit an online application and does not have access to a computer or is having difficulty navigating the online platform. Participating Contractors can also connect a customer with TRC, through 1-866-NYSERDA, for assistance with completing an EmPower+ Application.

Contractors should not be sending bulk applications to the Hubs to submit on behalf of the contractor. Contractors can provide a customer with a campaign code that tags the contractor in MyEnergy or furnish them with a paper application that the customer can fill out and mail in. If a contractor needs assistance with campaign codes, they can submit an inquiry to TRC through info.residential@nyserda.ny.gov.

Campaign Codes will be covered in the September 5, 2025 Home Modernization Webinar at 8:30 a.m. ET. If you wish to attend, please register here.

If you have any questions, please contact info.residential@nyserda.ny.gov.

Heating Measures and GJGNY Loans and Heating Repair

Program: EmPower+
To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors and Hubs
Summary: Heating Measures and GJGNY Loans and Heating Repair
Contact with Questions: Contractor Support at 1-800-284-9069 or email at support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov 

Financing Heating Systems

With the ending of EmPower+ incentives for fossil fuel heating equipment, EmPower+ will be adding two new measures in NYHEP to allow for the financing of furnaces/boilers through Green Jobs Green New York (GJGNY):​

  • Furnace Finance Only (FRNC_FO)​
  • Boiler Finance Only (BOIL_FO)​

These measures are to be used only when a contractor submits the measure for a loan through GJGNY. The measures will not receive EmPower+ incentives.

Heating and Hot Water Heater Repairs

Heating system and domestic hot water heating repairs will continue to be an eligible health and safety measure through EmPower+. If the total of all Health and Safety measures are greater than 30% of the project total, the cost of health and safety will count towards project level cost effectiveness.

When entering a heating or hot water heater repair, contractors will be required to list the issue and itemized costs in the notes section. An example of an acceptable note is provided below:

  • Furnace turns on and off. Home will not maintain temperature. New limit switch $150, New inducer motor $300

Per existing program requirements, the maximum incentive for heating system and domestic hot water heating repairs is $500 for low income and $250 for moderate income. 

The program is currently working with OTDA on a plan for working with low-income customers with no-heat situations during heating season. 

The above topics were covered on the August 1, 2025, Home Modernization monthly webinar which can be referenced here.

If you have any questions, please contact Contractor Support at 800- 284–9069 or email at support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov.