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Tag: Guidelines

Field Change Order and Assessment Installation Form

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To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors
Regarding Programs: EmPower+
Summary: Field Change Order and Assessment Installation Form
Contact: Please contact your Account Manager

Effective January 1, 2024, the following process requirements will be in place for Field Change Orders and the Assessment Installation Form. 

Field Change Orders

For projects where the approved workscope is different than the final workscope, regardless of the dollar amount, a Field Change Order must be completed and signed by the household as affirmation they have been informed of the modification to the project. In instances where the changes are greater than $500, the Participating Contractor must receive approval from the Program. This can be a call to the account manager or through the contractor support line if the account manager is unavailable.

Assessment Installation Form

For all projects, the Assessment Installation Form must be reviewed and signed by the household. Preferably, this should occur at the time of the assessment; however, it can be signed at a later stage providing a signed copy is uploaded as part of the final project submission.

Currently, NYSERDA is working with the BPCA and Participating Contractors to review and streamline existing Program forms. NYSERDA expects this to effort be completed in early 2024 and will provide updates to the forms and requirements once available.  

Updated Income Limits

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To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors, Regional Clean Energy Hubs
Regarding Programs: EmPower+
Summary: Updated Income Limits for EmPower+
Contact: Contact your Account Manager

The income limits for EmPower+ have been updated and are effective as of November 1, 2023. These income limits are based on 2023-2024 State Median Income numbers provided by the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and 2023 Area Median Income numbers provided by The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The updated guidelines can be found in Section 3.4 of the Program Manual and on the EmPower+ webpage.

All websites and program materials have been updated to reflect these changes.  If you have any questions about these changes, please contact your Account Manager.

OTDA HERR Benefits Increased

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To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors, Clean Energy Hubs
Regarding Programs: EmPower+ (Low-Income Eligible Households)
Summary: OTDA HERR benefit increased to $4,000 for repair and $8,000 for heating system replacement
Contact: Contact your Account Manager

Effective October 2, 2023, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has increased the benefit available through the Heating Equipment Repair or Replacement (HERR) Benefit to $4,000 for a repair and $8,000 for a replacement.  The HERR Benefit provides incentives for eligible low-income homeowners to repair or replace failed direct heating equipment. In addition, the maximum resource limit for HERR was increased to $10,000.

Low-Income households looking to participate in HERR, can call a Local District Contact. If it is determined the low-income household is not eligible for the HERR Benefit or if the HERR Benefit will not cover the entire cost of the system, the household may be eligible for incentives through EmPower+. Please refer to the No Heat Guidelines Section 5.9 of the Program Manual for additional information. 

If there are any questions, please contact your Account Manager.

Timely Submissions of Assessments and Installations

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To: Participating Comfort Home Contractors
Regarding Programs: Comfort Home Pilot Program
Summary: Timely Submissions of Assessments and Installations
Contact: [email protected]

To maintain accurate and current reporting and allow timely quality assurance inspections, Comfort Home workflow submissions into Compass must take place within 30 days of completion of the on-site work.  Effective on November 1, 2023:

  • Unless alternative agreements are reached with NYSERDA, Comfort Home assessments must be entered into Compass and submitted within 30 days of completion of the on-site assessment. 
  • Unless alternative agreements are reached with NYSERDA, Comfort Home load reduction installations must be entered into Compass and submitted within 30 days of completion of the on-site work by the Contractor.
  • Unless alternative agreements are reached with NYSERDA, Comfort Home HVAC (heat pump) installations must be entered into Compass and submitted within 30 days of completion of the on-site work.

EmPower+ Customer Acceptance Extension

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To: EmPower+ Contractors
Regarding Programs: EmPower+
Summary: EmPower+ Customer Acceptance Extension
Contact: Please reach out to your Account Manager

The Empower+ program is announcing an extension of the time contractors have to accept customers in the NYHEP portal from 5 business days and one 5 business day extension to 15 calendar days with one 5 calendar day extension. The program encourages contractors to accept customers as soon as possible so they have the best program experience. This extension will remain in effect until current portal stability issues have been thoroughly resolved. If there are any questions, please contact your Account Manager.