EmPower+ FAQ: Every Question NYC Homeowners Ask, Answered

EmPower+ is a New York State program that provides energy efficiency upgrades to income-eligible homeowners and renters. It is administered by NYSERDA (the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority), a state agency that has been operating since 1975. The program is funded through the Clean Energy Fund, which is supported by a surcharge on utility bills -- not by taxes.

Learn more about how EmPower+ works and why it is legitimate.

For Tier 1 eligible households (income at or below 60% of the Area Median Income or State Median Income, whichever is higher), the energy efficiency upgrades are provided at no cost. There is no repayment, no lien on your property, and no future obligation. NYSERDA pays the contractor directly.

For Tier 3 (moderate-income), NYSERDA covers 50% of the project cost up to $7,000. You pay the remaining balance.

In NYC, the Area Median Income is higher than the State Median Income, which means more households qualify for Tier 1 than in other parts of New York.

You may qualify if your household income falls within the program's income guidelines, or if you receive HEAP, SNAP, TANF, SSI, or similar public assistance benefits. Household size matters -- a family of four has a higher income limit than a single person.

Check the EmPower+ income requirements page for the current 2026 income limits by household size and borough.

The specific work depends on the results of your home energy audit, but EmPower+ can cover a wide range of improvements:

• Attic, wall, and basement insulation
• Air sealing throughout the building envelope
• Health and safety improvements including carbon monoxide detection and ventilation
• Heat pumps and heat pump water heaters
• Electrical upgrades needed to support new equipment
• High-efficiency lighting

The program does not cover roof repairs, full window replacements, full door replacements, extensive structural repairs, or cosmetic renovations. It also does not reimburse you for work that was already completed before your application was approved.

EmPower+ is focused specifically on energy efficiency. If your roof is leaking or your windows are broken, those issues need to be addressed separately before energy work can begin.

The easiest way is to contact a participating contractor like NY Energy Project. We help you fill out the NYSERDA application and submit your income documentation so nothing gets delayed or rejected for missing paperwork.

You can also apply directly through NYSERDA's website or call 866-NYSERDA. Either way, you will need to provide proof of income -- tax returns, pay stubs, or benefit award letters -- along with basic information about your home.

Application approval typically takes 3 to 5 business days once all documentation is submitted. Incomplete applications take longer, which is why we recommend working with a contractor who can review your paperwork before it goes in.

Once approved, the energy audit is scheduled. After the audit, NYSERDA reviews and approves the scope of work, and installation is usually completed within two weeks of that approval. From first phone call to finished project, most homeowners are looking at 4 to 8 weeks total.

A BPI-certified technician performs a blower door test, thermal imaging, inspection of your attic, walls, basement, and mechanical systems, and health and safety checks including carbon monoxide testing. The audit takes two to three hours and identifies exactly where your home is losing energy.

The results determine what work NYSERDA will approve. You do not get to pick and choose upgrades -- the audit data drives the scope of work.

Read our full guide on what happens during a home energy audit in NYC.

You can select from a list of NYSERDA-approved participating contractors, or ask NYSERDA to assign one. You cannot use a contractor who is not approved for the program. All EmPower+ contractors must be BPI-certified and meet NYSERDA's quality standards.

We recommend choosing your own contractor rather than waiting for NYSERDA to assign one. That way you can check reviews, ask questions, and work with someone you trust from the start.

Yes. EmPower+ is available in Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. The program is statewide, so any income-eligible homeowner in New York State can apply regardless of borough or county.

NYC homeowners actually have an advantage because the Area Median Income in the metro area is higher than the statewide median. That means higher income thresholds and more households qualifying for Tier 1 coverage. You can learn how to verify a contractor is legitimate before scheduling any work.

Yes. The program covers 1-to-4 family residential properties, including attached row houses, brownstones, semi-detached homes, and detached single-family homes. The energy audit accounts for shared walls and adjusts recommendations accordingly.

In fact, attached homes in NYC often benefit the most from EmPower+ because shared walls, uninsulated party walls, and older construction create significant energy loss that insulation and air sealing can address.

Yes, for qualifying homes. EmPower+ can cover heat pump systems, heat pump water heaters, and the electrical upgrades needed to support them. The home must meet certain minimum requirements -- like adequate insulation levels -- before a heat pump can be installed.

The program takes an insulation-first approach. Putting a heat pump in a poorly insulated home wastes energy and money. The audit determines whether your home is ready for a heat pump or whether insulation and air sealing need to happen first.

Heating system upgrades can be part of the EmPower+ scope. If your existing system is old, inefficient, or unsafe, the audit will flag it and the scope of work may include a replacement.

The program prioritizes insulation and air sealing first because those improvements reduce how hard any heating system has to work. A properly insulated home with good air sealing might not need as large a replacement system, which saves money and energy in the long run.

Yes. Renters can receive energy efficiency improvements through EmPower+ with their landlord's written permission. Some limited measures like lighting upgrades can be done without landlord involvement, but substantial improvements like insulation, air sealing, and heating system work require building owner consent.

If you are a renter, we recommend talking to your landlord first. Many landlords are willing to participate because the upgrades improve the property at no cost to them.

No. EmPower+ cannot fund or reimburse work that has already been completed. All work must be proposed, approved by NYSERDA, and performed after your application is approved. This is one of the most common misunderstandings we hear.

If you are thinking about doing energy work on your home, check your EmPower+ eligibility first. It could save you thousands of dollars.

For Tier 1 (low-income), no. You pay nothing upfront and nothing after the work is done. NYSERDA pays the contractor directly. There is no deposit, no down payment, and no balance due at completion.

For Tier 3 (moderate-income), NYSERDA covers 50% of the project cost up to $7,000. You are responsible for the remaining balance, which can be paid directly to the contractor.

Yes. EmPower+ covers 1-to-4 family residential properties. For multi-family homes, each unit may be eligible for improvements depending on occupant income. The owner must consent to the work, and income verification is needed for each unit.

This is especially relevant in NYC where two-family and three-family homes are common. If you live in one unit and rent out the others, both owner-occupied and tenant-occupied units can qualify as long as the income requirements are met.

No, it does not affect your eligibility. EmPower+ is funded through NYSERDA, not through your utility company. Whether you use Con Edison, National Grid, or another utility, you can still apply.

The program is funded by the Clean Energy Fund, which is supported by a small surcharge on all utility bills statewide. Your specific utility provider has no bearing on whether you qualify or what upgrades you can receive.

For Tier 1 eligible tenants, the landlord does not pay for standard energy efficiency improvements. However, a landlord contribution may be required if the project exceeds program funding caps or for certain measures like heating system replacements.

Most landlords we work with are happy to participate because the upgrades improve their property at no cost and reduce tenant complaints about drafts, high bills, and uncomfortable temperatures.

There is no obligation tied to selling your home. EmPower+ improvements are not a loan and do not involve a lien. The upgrades stay with the property and benefit the next owner.

For standard no-cost Tier 1 work, selling your home creates zero complications. The insulation, air sealing, and any other improvements are permanent upgrades that increase your home's comfort and energy efficiency -- and can even be a selling point.