How to Apply for NYSERDA Rebates
Applying for a NYSERDA rebate sounds more complicated than it actually is. There is no long form to fill out for most programs, and in a lot of cases your contractor does the paperwork for you. What trips people up is starting in the wrong place: buying equipment first, then trying to claim money back afterwards.
Check For Eligible Rebates
"*" indicates required fields
NYSERDA Rebate Programs
Making your home more comfortable and cheaper to run is easier than most New Yorkers expect. Through NYSERDA, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, residents can claim rebates and incentives that cut the upfront cost of insulation, heat pumps, water heaters, and other energy upgrades, while lowering monthly bills at the same time. This guide explains what is on offer, who qualifies, and how to claim it, in plain language. Amounts and eligibility change over time, so treat the figures here as a guide and confirm the current numbers on the official NYSERDA website before you plan a project.
Check For Eligible Rebates
"*" indicates required fields
Step 1: Find the Right Program
NYSERDA runs several rebate programs. Which one applies to you depends on your household income and the type of work you want done.
EmPower+ is for income-eligible households. It covers a free home energy assessment and funding toward insulation, air sealing, heat pumps, heat pump water heaters and electrical upgrades. Many households pay nothing.
Comfort Home is for households above the EmPower+ income limits. It covers seal and insulate packages and high-performance windows.
NYS Clean Heat covers heat pumps, geothermal systems and heat pump water heaters. It is delivered through your utility rather than NYSERDA directly.
On-site solar covers rooftop and ground-mounted solar.
Residential Energy Assessment is a free assessment if you want to understand your home’s energy use before deciding on anything.
To check whether you fall under the income limits, use the EmPower+ eligibility guidelines and select your county and household size. A full list of programs is on NYSERDA’s find incentives and contractors page.
Who is eligible for NYSERDA rebates
For income-eligible homeowners and renters, EmPower+ offers the most complete support of any program here. In 2022 alone it served more than 14,000 New York households with upgrades worth up to $10,000 per home. With new federal funding through the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate program, known as HEAR, the maximum support has risen to $24,000 for qualifying households. The program covers improvements at no cost for families earning below 60 percent of the state median income, and offers strong incentives for households up to 80 percent of the area median income.
Who qualifies: households earning below 80 percent of the area median income, which in most counties was around $102,240 for a family of four in 2024 to 2025. You may also qualify if you take part in a utility payment assistance program.
What is covered: air sealing, insulation, heating system upgrades, heat pump water heaters, health and safety improvements, and the electrical service upgrades needed for clean energy equipment.
Step 2: Collect Your Documents
This step applies to EmPower+ only. Comfort Home, Clean Heat and solar do not ask for income documents.
You will need:
Proof of income for everyone in the household, such as recent pay stubs or a tax return.
A recent utility bill for the property.
Proof of who lives in the home.
If anyone in the household receives HEAP, SNAP, TANF or Supplemental Security Income, a copy of the full award letter dated within the last 12 months can be used instead of income documents. This is the quicker route, so check for that letter first.
Renters can apply, but you will need written permission from your landlord before major improvements are installed.
The current document checklist is on the EmPower+ application page. If you have questions about what counts, call NYSERDA on 1-866-NYSERDA.
Free Help With Your Application
If you would like help working out which program fits your home and what documents you need, call 929-232-1130 or email info@aaahomeenergysolutions.com to book a no-cost home energy assessment.
Step 3: Submit the Application
For EmPower+, create a profile on the MyEnergy Portal and complete the application online. Online applications are processed faster than paper ones. Once approved, NYSERDA emails you with the contact details for your assigned participating contractor.
For Comfort Home, Clean Heat and solar, there is no portal application to fill in. You choose an approved contractor and they submit the paperwork on your behalf.
Step 4: Have the Home Energy Assessment
A qualified contractor visits the home and checks insulation levels, air leakage, your heating system and the safety of any combustion appliances.
You then receive a work scope. This lists the recommended improvements in priority order, the expected energy savings, and what portion of the cost you would pay.
Under EmPower+ the assessment is free, and some smaller improvements may be installed during the visit.
Read the work scope before you approve it, and ask about anything you do not understand or do not want included.
Step 5: Choose an Approved Contractor
The contractor must be enrolled in the specific program you are claiming under. Each program has its own directory:
- EmPower+ participating contractors
- Comfort Home contractors by county
- NYS Clean Heat contractors
- All residential contractors
Being on the list means a contractor is qualified for the program. It does not mean prices are fixed, so it is worth getting more than one quote.
Step 6: Work Is Completed and the Rebate Applied
Once you approve the work scope, the contractor schedules the job and files the paperwork with NYSERDA.
Depending on the program, the rebate is either taken off your invoice as an upfront discount or paid after NYSERDA verifies the completed work.
Keep the signed work scope, the final invoice and the assessment report. You may need them if you also claim federal tax credits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a NYSERDA rebate?
Choose the program that matches your income and project, apply through the MyEnergy Portal if you are using EmPower+, book a home energy assessment, then have an approved contractor complete the work. For Comfort Home, Clean Heat and solar, your contractor submits the application for you.
Who is eligible for NYSERDA rebates?
New York State residents who own or rent a home. EmPower+ has income limits by county and household size, while Comfort Home, NYS Clean Heat and solar incentives are open to all income levels.
What documents do I need to apply for EmPower+?
Proof of income for the household, a recent utility bill, and proof of who lives in the home. A HEAP, SNAP, TANF or Supplemental Security Income award letter dated within the last 12 months can replace the income documents.
Can renters apply for NYSERDA rebates?
Yes. Renters can apply for EmPower+, but written permission from the landlord is required before core improvements are installed.
Can I get a NYSERDA rebate after the work is already done?
Usually not. Most NYSERDA programs require approval before work begins and the work must be completed by a contractor enrolled in that program.
Is there a cost to apply for NYSERDA rebates?
No. Both the application and the home energy assessment are free.
Can NYSERDA rebates be combined with federal tax credits?
Yes, in most cases. Inflation Reduction Act tax credits can often be claimed on the same project as a NYSERDA rebate, and utility rebates may also stack.