If you own a home in Queens and your energy bills keep climbing, there is a New York State program that most Queens homeowners do not know about. The EmPower+ program provides no-cost insulation, air sealing, and energy upgrades to income-eligible households, and Queens is one of the most active areas in the entire program.
NY Energy Project is a participating contractor in the EmPower+ program, and Queens is where we do most of our work. We have completed over 200 projects across the borough. This guide covers everything Queens homeowners need to know about the program: what it covers, who qualifies, and how to get started.
What Is the EmPower Plus Program?
EmPower+ is funded by New York State through NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority). It helps low-to-moderate income homeowners make their homes more energy efficient at no cost or reduced cost. The program covers a professional energy audit, insulation, air sealing, and other upgrades that lower energy bills and improve home comfort.
For a full overview of the program, including how it works statewide, see our EmPower+ Program page.
This page focuses specifically on how the program works for Queens homeowners, what Queens homes typically need, and how to apply.
What EmPower+ Covers for Queens Homes
Every EmPower+ project starts with a comprehensive energy audit. A BPI-certified technician comes to your home and uses blower door testing and thermal imaging to identify exactly where your home is losing energy. Based on the audit findings, the following upgrades may be included at no cost for qualifying households:
Insulation
This is the most common upgrade for Queens homes. Attic insulation (blown-in cellulose to R-49 depth), wall insulation (dense-pack cellulose injected into hollow wall cavities), and basement ceiling insulation. Most Queens homes built before the 1970s have little or no wall insulation, and the attic insulation is usually far below current standards.
Air Sealing
Every gap, crack, and penetration where air moves between your living space and the attic, basement, or outside gets sealed. This includes gaps around plumbing and wiring penetrations, attic hatches, recessed lights, and the sill plate where the house meets the foundation. Air sealing is done alongside insulation for maximum effect.
Energy Audit with Blower Door Test and Thermal Imaging
The diagnostic testing that identifies all the problems. You receive a detailed report showing your home's air leakage rate, insulation levels, thermal images of problem areas, and a prioritized list of improvements.
Health and Safety Improvements
Carbon monoxide testing on furnaces and water heaters, combustion safety checks, and ventilation improvements where needed. These are critical safety checks that protect your family.
Tier 1 (income at or below 60% of Area Median Income):
Up to $14,000 in covered energy upgrades at no cost to you. This is the most common tier for Queens homeowners we work with.
Tier 3 (income between 60% and 80% of Area Median Income):
50% of project costs covered, up to $7,000 in incentives. You pay the remaining balance after work is completed.
Do You Qualify? Income Limits for Queens (2026)
EmPower+ eligibility is based on your total household income and household size. Queens falls under the New York City Area Median Income (AMI), which has higher income limits than most of the state. Many Queens homeowners are surprised to find they qualify.
| Household Size | Tier 1 (No-Cost, 60% AMI) | Tier 3 (50% Covered, 80% AMI) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $68,063 | $90,750 |
| 2 People | $77,775 | $103,700 |
| 3 People | $87,488 | $116,650 |
| 4 People | $97,200 | $129,600 |
| 5 People | $105,000 | $140,000 |
| 6 People | $112,763 | $150,350 |
| 7 People | $120,563 | $160,750 |
| 8 People | $128,325 | $171,100 |
Maximum gross annual income to qualify (NYC counties). Limits adjust annually. See the full 2026 income requirements for NYC for more details.
Automatic qualification: If you currently receive HEAP, SNAP, TANF, SSI, or Medicaid, you likely pre-qualify for Tier 1 without needing to submit income documentation. Just provide a copy of your most recent award letter.
Not sure if you qualify? Call us and we will check your eligibility in a few minutes over the phone.
Contact NY Energy Project to check your EmPower+ eligibility.
(800) 454-1556Why Queens Homes Need EmPower+ More Than Most
Queens has the most diverse housing stock in New York City, and a huge portion of it was built before modern energy codes existed. Here is what makes Queens homes especially good candidates for the EmPower+ program.
Detached and Semi-Detached Homes
Queens has far more detached and semi-detached houses than any other borough. These homes have three or four exposed exterior walls, which means more surface area losing heat in winter and gaining heat in summer. A fully detached home in Jamaica or Bayside can have 30% to 40% more energy loss than an attached row house with the same square footage. EmPower+ insulation makes the biggest difference in these homes.
Pre-War Construction with No Insulation
Many Queens homes built in the 1930s through 1960s have completely hollow wall cavities. The builders framed the walls, applied plaster or drywall on the inside and siding on the outside, and left the cavity empty. There is nothing between you and the outdoor temperature except a few inches of air. Dense-pack cellulose insulation fills these cavities and transforms how the house feels.
High Utility Costs
Con Edison rates in Queens are among the highest in the country. When your home wastes 20% to 40% of the energy you pay for through air leaks and missing insulation, the dollar amounts are significant. EmPower+ upgrades typically reduce heating and cooling costs by hundreds of dollars per year.
Older Heating Systems
Many Queens homes still rely on boilers or furnaces that are 20 to 40 years old, operating at 60% to 70% efficiency. The EmPower+ energy audit identifies these issues and documents the system's condition so you can plan for the future. While EmPower+ does not replace heating systems directly, proper insulation and air sealing reduce the load on your existing system so it works less to keep you comfortable.
Common EmPower+ Projects in Queens Neighborhoods
After completing over 200 projects in Queens, here is what we typically see and fix in different parts of the borough.
Jamaica, Hollis, and St. Albans
These neighborhoods have a large stock of detached colonial and Cape Cod style homes from the 1940s and 1950s. Typical EmPower+ projects here include full attic blown-in insulation, dense-pack cellulose in all exterior walls, and extensive air sealing. Many of these homes have finished attics with knee walls that are never insulated properly, making the top floor uncomfortable year-round.
Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, and Woodhaven
These areas have a mix of semi-detached and attached homes, many with brick exteriors. Wall insulation is almost always missing. We typically insulate the front and rear walls (the exposed ones) and the attic. Air sealing around the older windows, doors, and basement sill plate makes a major difference in draftiness.
Flushing, Bayside, and Fresh Meadows
Eastern Queens has many larger single-family homes with full basements and walk-up attics. These homes have the most potential for energy savings because they have four fully exposed walls, a large attic, and an uninsulated basement. A full EmPower+ project on a detached Bayside home can include attic insulation, wall insulation on all four sides, basement ceiling insulation, and whole-house air sealing.
Astoria, Woodside, and Jackson Heights
Western Queens is dominated by attached row houses and small multi-family buildings. EmPower+ projects here focus on the front and back exterior walls (party walls are shared with neighbors), the attic or top-floor ceiling, and basement insulation. Even though these homes share walls, they still lose significant energy through the exposed surfaces.
Howard Beach, Broad Channel, and the Rockaways
Waterfront neighborhoods face additional challenges: salt air, higher moisture levels, and wind exposure. Homes in these areas benefit especially from air sealing because wind-driven air infiltration is much higher than in sheltered inland neighborhoods. EmPower+ air sealing and insulation help these homes withstand the coastal weather conditions.
How to Apply for EmPower+ in Queens
The application process is straightforward. Here is how it works when you go through NY Energy Project:
Contact us to check your eligibility.
Call or fill out our contact form. We will ask a few basic questions about your household size and income to determine which tier you likely qualify for. This takes about five minutes.
We schedule your energy audit.
A BPI-certified technician comes to your Queens home and performs a comprehensive energy audit with blower door testing and thermal imaging. This takes two to three hours.
We submit the project to NYSERDA.
Based on the audit findings, we prepare a scope of work and submit it to NYSERDA for approval. We handle all the paperwork.
NYSERDA approves the work.
Once approved, we schedule the installation at a time that works for you.
We complete the upgrades.
Our crew installs the insulation, performs air sealing, and completes all approved work. Most Queens projects take one to two days. We protect your furniture and clean up before we leave.
Final inspection.
We perform a post-installation blower door test to verify the improvements and ensure everything meets NYSERDA standards.
For Tier 1 households, there is no cost at any step. For Tier 3, you pay your portion after the work is completed.
Over 200 Queens homes upgraded through EmPower+. Your home could be next.
Why Choose NY Energy Project for EmPower+ in Queens
We are a participating contractor in the EmPower+ program with deep experience in Queens specifically. Here is what sets us apart:
- 200+ completed EmPower+ projects, most of them in Queens
- BPI Gold Star certified contractor (the highest level of building performance certification)
- All five-star Google reviews from Queens homeowners who have been through the process
- We handle all NYSERDA paperwork so you do not have to navigate the application yourself
- Queens-based team that understands the housing stock and neighborhoods
Frequently Asked Questions About EmPower+ in Queens
Is EmPower+ really at no cost for Queens homeowners?
For Tier 1 households (income at or below 60% of Area Median Income), the energy audit and all approved upgrades are performed at no cost. You pay nothing. For Tier 3 households, NYSERDA covers 50% of project costs up to $7,000. The remaining balance is your responsibility after the work is completed.
How long does it take from application to completed work?
The typical timeline for a Queens EmPower+ project is four to eight weeks from your initial call to completed installation. The energy audit is usually scheduled within one to two weeks. NYSERDA approval takes one to three weeks depending on their review queue. Installation takes one to two days once scheduled.
What types of Queens homes qualify for EmPower+?
One- to four-family residential properties qualify. This includes single-family detached homes, two-family homes, and small multi-family buildings. The property must be your primary residence. Investment properties, vacation homes, and buildings with five or more units do not qualify.
I already have some insulation. Can I still qualify?
Yes. The energy audit measures your existing insulation levels and identifies where improvements are needed. Even if your attic has some insulation, it may be below current standards (R-49). Wall insulation is almost always missing in pre-war Queens homes regardless of attic condition. EmPower+ covers whatever improvements are needed to bring your home up to standard.
Will EmPower+ replace my windows or heating system?
EmPower+ focuses on insulation, air sealing, and the energy audit. It does not typically cover window replacement or heating system replacement. However, the audit report documents the condition of your heating system and windows, which can help you plan those upgrades separately. Other NYSERDA programs may offer incentives for heating system upgrades.
Do I need to own my Queens home to apply?
You do not need to own the home, but the property owner must consent to the work. If you are a renter in a one- to four-family home, talk to your landlord about participating. The program covers all costs for Tier 1 eligible households, so there is no financial burden on the property owner.
Related Resources
- EmPower+ Program: Full Overview for NYC Homeowners
- 2026 EmPower+ Income Requirements for NYC
- Is EmPower+ Legit? What NYC Homeowners Need to Know
- EmPower+ FAQ: Common Questions NYC Homeowners Ask
- Home Energy Audit NYC: Full Guide
- All NY Energy Project Services in Queens
NY Energy Project: Queens EmPower+ Experts
We are a participating contractor in the EmPower+ program serving all 62 Queens neighborhoods. From the initial eligibility check through the completed upgrades, we handle every step.
