EmPower+ Program: Free Energy Upgrades for New York Homeowners
Are you a New York resident looking to cut your energy bills and make your home more comfortable? The EmPower+ program from NYSERDA can help. It offers free home energy checks and upgrades for people with low or moderate incomes. This guide explains the program in simple terms so you can see if it fits your needs and how to get started.
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What This Program Actually Does for You
EmPower+ sends a professional to your home to find problems you might not even know exist. Drafty windows. Missing insulation. An ancient heating system that burns money. Then they fix these problems at little or no cost to you.
Here’s what happens: A contractor comes to your home, tests for air leaks, checks your insulation, looks at your heating system, and creates a plan. Then they come back and do the work. If you qualify as low-income, you pay zero dollars. If you’re moderate-income, you might pay something, but the program covers most of it.
What this means in real terms: Families typically save $500 to $1,500 per year on energy bills after getting these improvements. That’s real money back in your pocket every single month.
Who Actually Qualifies
The income limits change based on where you live in New York and how many people are in your household.
If you receive any of these benefits, you automatically qualify:
- HEAP (heating assistance)
- SNAP (food stamps)
- TANF (cash assistance)
- Supplemental Security Income
Already getting help with heating or food? You’re in. Apply.
If you don’t get those benefits, you can still qualify based on income. For a family of four in most areas, you can make up to about $76,000 and get everything free, or up to about $102,000 and get most costs covered.
You also need to own or rent a 1-4 family home that you live in. Renters need their landlord’s written permission.
Not sure where you fall? Call us. We can tell you in five minutes whether you qualify.
Homeowners can access rebates for upgrades that reduce energy use and emissions. These are available statewide, with variations based on utility territory and income.
What They'll Actually Fix in Your Home
The program focuses on improvements that make the biggest difference to your comfort and bills.
Air sealing
Air sealing stops cold air from coming in through gaps around windows, doors, outlets, and other spots you might not notice. This alone can make rooms feel 5-10 degrees warmer in winter without touching your thermostat.
Insulation
Insulation gets added to your attic, walls, or basement. Good insulation means your heat stays inside in winter and outside in summer. Many older homes have almost no insulation, or insulation that’s degraded over decades.
New heating and cooling equipment
New heating and cooling equipment might be covered if your current system is old or inefficient. This includes heat pumps, which can cut heating costs in half compared to oil or propane. Heat pump water heaters are also covered—they use much less electricity than standard water heaters.
The contractor starts with air sealing and insulation because those improvements make your home ready for efficient heating equipment. There’s no point installing a great new heater if all the heat escapes through gaps and poor insulation.
Start Saving Today
Ready to reduce your energy bills, upgrade your home, and claim thousands in rebates? We’ll guide you step-by-step through the process — from audit to incentive — and help you secure every dollar you deserve.
How Much This Actually Costs You
- Low-income households: Nothing. Zero dollars out of pocket for up to $10,000 in improvements.
- Moderate-income households: You might pay something, but the program covers up to $5,000 of the costs. What you pay depends on what work needs to be done and what other programs you combine with EmPower+.
There’s also additional federal money available through a program called HEAR (Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates). This can add up to $14,000 more in coverage for things like heat pumps and electrical upgrades. When you combine EmPower+ and HEAR, some families get $20,000+ in improvements with minimal or no cost.
The catch? There really isn’t one. This is a legitimate government program designed to help people who need it. The state wants to reduce energy use, and helping families afford these improvements accomplishes that goal while saving you money.
The Actual Process (What to Expect)
Step 1: Find out if you qualify
Call us or apply online. You’ll need to show proof of income (tax return, recent pay stubs, or a benefit letter if you get HEAP/SNAP/etc.) and recent utility bills. If you rent, you’ll need your landlord’s approval.
Step 2: Get approved
Applications usually get processed in 2-3 weeks if everything is complete. We can help make sure you submit everything correctly the first time.
Step 3: Home energy assessment
A contractor visits your home for a few hours and does a thorough check. They use special equipment to find air leaks, measure insulation levels, and test your heating system. They’ll also check for safety issues like carbon monoxide risks.
You’ll get a detailed report showing exactly what’s wrong and what they recommend fixing. This report also estimates how much you’ll save on energy bills after the work is done.
Step 4: Approval and scheduling
NYSERDA reviews the recommended improvements and approves what’s covered. Then you schedule the work at a time that works for you.
Step 5: Installation
Crews come and do the work. How long this takes depends on what you’re getting done. Basic air sealing and insulation might take a day or two. Adding a new heating system takes longer. All work gets inspected to make sure it’s done right.
Most projects are completely finished within 4-8 weeks after approval.
Start Saving Today
Ready to reduce your energy bills, upgrade your home, and claim thousands in rebates? We’ll guide you step-by-step through the process — from audit to incentive — and help you secure every dollar you deserve.
What You'll Notice After the Work Is Done
- Your home will feel different immediately. Rooms that were always cold will feel warmer. Drafts will be gone. Temperatures will be more consistent from room to room.
- Your bills will drop. Most people see the difference on their very first bill after the work is completed. The exact amount depends on what was fixed and how much energy your home was wasting before.
- Less noise. Air sealing stops wind noise. New heating equipment runs quieter than old systems.
- Fewer problems. Old heating systems break down. New equipment is reliable and usually comes with warranties.
What Happens If You Need More Than $10,000 in Work
Energy costs aren’t going down. Every winter that goes by with a drafty, poorly insulated home is money you can’t get back. Every month you heat a home that leaks air, you’re paying for energy that literally disappears into the outside air.
If you qualify for this program and you don’t use it, you’re leaving money on the table. Real money. Hundreds or thousands of dollars per year.
Plus, your home will be more comfortable. You’ll sleep better in a bedroom that stays warm all night. Your kids won’t complain about cold floors. You won’t dread opening your energy bill.
The program exists. The money is available. The only question is whether you’ll take advantage of it.
Apply via portal.nyserda.ny.gov; upload docs like bills, income proof. Processing: 2-4 weeks average, approval rates ~90% if complete. Avoid mistakes like incomplete forms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the whole process take from start to finish?
Plan for 2-3 months total in most cases. Application approval takes 2-3 weeks. The home assessment happens within a few weeks after that. Then work gets scheduled based on contractor availability and what needs to be done. Some simple projects finish faster. Complex ones with new heating systems take longer.
What if I already made some improvements on my own?
You can still apply. The program covers additional improvements your home needs. The assessment will identify what’s left to do. You won’t get reimbursed for work you already paid for, but that doesn’t disqualify you from getting help with remaining improvements.
Do I have to stay in my home for a certain number of years after getting the improvements?
No. There’s no requirement to stay. If you sell your house next year, that’s fine. The improvements stay with the house and make it more valuable, which benefits you when you sell.
Can I get improvements done in the summer, or is this only for heating?
You can apply and get work done year-round. While many improvements help most with heating (which is why people often think about this in winter), air sealing and insulation also keep your home cooler in summer. Heat pumps provide both heating and air conditioning.
What happens if the contractor finds problems they can't fix through EmPower+?
They’ll tell you. Some issues fall outside the program’s scope—like major structural problems, mold remediation, or certain repairs. The contractor will explain what EmPower+ covers and what it doesn’t. You’re not required to fix everything they find. Many people just do what the program covers and handle other issues separately or later.
I heard there's a waitlist. Is that true?
This varies by region and time of year. Some areas have more demand than others. Some contractors are busier than others. When you apply, you’ll get a realistic timeline. Even if there’s a wait, it’s worth getting on the list—the savings are substantial and the improvements last for decades.
Can I get improvements for a second home or rental property I own but don't live in?
No. The program is specifically for your primary residence—the home you actually live in. If you own rental properties, this program doesn’t cover those. Your tenants could potentially qualify if they meet income requirements and you give permission as the landlord.