NYSERDA

EmPower+ Eligibility Guidelines

Homeowners and renters must meet income requirements to qualify for EmPower+. You may be eligible if you can answer “yes” to these statements:

• My household income is below 80 percent of the State/Area Median Income or lower
  OR
• I participate in a utility payment assistance program

Tier 1-Low Income Level Single Family Homes

EmPower + provides pre-qualified measures and no-cost energy efficient solutions to residents whose combined income is less than 60% of the gross median state income. 

EmPower + New York Tier 1-Low Income Eligibility Guidelines 2025

Tier 3-Moderate Income Level Single Family Homes

EmPower + provides up to $5000 of eligible energy measures per project. Heating system replacement measure incentives are $2000 per project depending on the existing insulation and heating system proposed.

EmPower + New York Tier 3-Moderate Income Eligibility Guidelines 2025

Renters and 2-4 Multi Family Households

Though EmPower+, both income-eligible owners and renters of 1-4 family homes are eligible for project incentives. For a project to receive core energy efficiency improvements, rental properties must have approval from the landlord/building owner for work to proceed. For both low income and moderate income 2-4 multi family homes, if 50% or more of the units are income eligible for EmPower+, then the entire building is considered income eligible.

Tier 1 Low-Income Units

Units with a combined income less than or equal to 60% of the State Median Income can receive:

• No-cost home energy assessment.
• No-cost measures installed at the time of the home energy assessment.
• For single-family owners and rental properties, the project funding cap is $10,000 per project.
• For 2-4 multi family rental units, project funding caps are based on $10,000 for the initial unit and $5,000 for each additional income eligible unit.
  • Buildings with 100 units or less occupied by low-income tenants are able to be served with in-unit direct install measures.
  • Heating system replacement measure incentives are capped at $8000, regardless of the number of units. Not eligible unless the landlord qualifies and resides in the building. 

Tier 3 Moderate-Income Units

Units with incomes less than or equal to 80% of the State/ Area Median Income, whichever is greater can receive:

• No-cost comprehensive home energy assessments.
• No-cost measures installed at the time of the home energy assessment.
• Households can apply for an incentive of up to $5000 for eligible energy efficient improvements.
• Access to low-interest financing through Green Jobs – Green NY (GJGNY) Financing.
• Additional Funding through Home Electrification Appliance Rebate (HEAR).
  • The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) recently expanded that income-eligible New Yorkers can receive through EmPower+ program to make their homes more comfortable and energy efficient.
  • The total HEAR incentive amount a household is eligible to receive is based on the combination of energy efficiency improvements. The maximum incentive limits per improvement are as follows:
    • Air sealing, insulation, and ventilation: $1,600 
    • Electrical service upgrade (panel box): $4,000 
    • Electrical wiring upgrade: $2,500
    • Heat pump water heaters: $1,750 
    • Heat pumps: $8,000