NYSERDA EmPower+ Income Guidelines: The Complete 2025 Guide for New York Homeowners & Renters

Quick Answer: The NYSERDA EmPower+ program offers free or heavily subsidized home energy upgrades to income-eligible New Yorkers. In 2025, a family of four earning up to $76,680 qualifies for 100% cost coverage, while households earning up to $102,240 can still get 50% coverage. Read on for the full income table, upgrade list, and step-by-step application guide.

If your energy bills feel like they’re draining your paycheck every month — you’re not alone.

A 2020 report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy found that roughly a quarter of low-income New York City households spent more than 17% of their income on energy. That’s nearly three times what financial experts consider a healthy energy burden (around 6%).

The good news? New York State has a program specifically designed to fix this — and most eligible residents have never heard of it. It’s called NYSERDA EmPower+, and it can cover anywhere from 50% to 100% of the cost of real home energy improvements, at zero or reduced cost to you.

This guide breaks down exactly who qualifies, what the 2025 income limits are, what upgrades you can get, and how to apply — in plain English, no jargon.

What Is the NYSERDA EmPower+ Program?

NYSERDA stands for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority — the state agency responsible for advancing clean energy across New York. EmPower+ is their flagship assistance program for low- and moderate-income households.

Here’s the simple version of how it works: the state pays a certified contractor to visit your home, identify exactly where you’re losing energy and money, and then fix it — often at zero cost to you. That includes things like drafty walls, inadequate insulation, outdated heating systems, and inefficient appliances.

EmPower+ officially merged with the Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program in 2023, making it the single most comprehensive energy assistance program available to income-eligible New Yorkers today.

📊 By the Numbers: EmPower+ served over 7,000 households in 2023. That number climbed to more than 22,000 households per year in both 2024 and 2025, fueled by major new funding from the federal Inflation Reduction Act and New York State budget. NYSERDA has allocated $120 million to EmPower+ for 2026, up from $110 million in 2025.

2025 NYSERDA EmPower+ Income Guidelines — The Full Breakdown

This is the most important section. Income eligibility is based on two tiers:

• Low-income tier — at or below 60% of the State Median Income (SMI)
• Moderate-income tier — between 60% and 80% of the SMI or Area Median Income (AMI), whichever is greater

Here’s the 2025 income table for most New York counties:

Important notes:

• These figures apply to most New York counties. Income limits vary slightly by county — always verify your specific county at NYSERDA’s official eligibility page.
• Low-income households receive up to 100% cost coverage — meaning $0 out of pocket.
• Moderate-income households receive up to 50% cost coverage.
• The maximum project incentive for low-income households is now up to $24,000 (increased from $10,000 thanks to Inflation Reduction Act funding).
• Moderate-income single-family homes receive up to $5,000 in project funding.

Two Income Tiers Explained — Which One Are You?

Tier 1: Low-Income (Up to 100% Coverage)

You fall into this tier if your household earns at or below 60% of New York State’s Median Income. This is the same threshold used for HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) benefits. If you already receive HEAP, SNAP, TANF, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you automatically qualify for this tier without submitting additional income documentation.

Tier 2: Moderate-Income (Up to 50% Coverage)

If your income falls between 60% and 80% of the State Median Income (or Area Median Income in higher-cost counties like NYC), you qualify for the moderate tier. You’ll pay half the cost of improvements — EmPower+ covers the rest, up to $5,000.

💡 Automatic Qualification Shortcut: Already enrolled in HEAP, SNAP, TANF, or SSI? You automatically qualify for EmPower+ Tier 1 — no income paperwork required. Just submit a copy of your most recent award letter (dated within the past 12 months) and you’re done.

Who Else Qualifies? Other Eligibility Requirements

Income is the main factor, but there are a few other boxes to check:

• Your home must have 1–4 residential units (single-family, duplex, triplex, or four-plex)
• The property must be your primary residence — not a vacation or investment property
• You must have a qualified energy provider (National Grid, NYSEG, Central Hudson, KEDLI, or you heat with oil, propane, or kerosene)
• Both homeowners and renters are eligible
• For 2–4 unit buildings, if 50% or more of the units are income-eligible, the entire building qualifies

One thing worth noting for renters: EmPower+ is specifically designed to work around the landlord-tenant dynamic. Your landlord controls what gets upgraded, but you pay the bills. The program has strategies to bring landlords to the table — and in many cases, upgrades increase the property’s value, so it’s a win for everyone.

What Free Upgrades Does EmPower+ Actually Cover?

Once you qualify, a certified EmPower+ contractor visits your home for a comprehensive energy assessment at no cost. They evaluate insulation levels, air leaks, heating systems, water heaters, windows, doors, and appliances — then create a customized improvement plan specific to your home.

Here’s what can be installed for free (or at reduced cost for moderate-income households):

A NYSERDA Residential Retrofit Impact Evaluation found that the average home serviced under the program saved 357 kWh per year in electricity — savings that add up to hundreds of dollars annually, every year, for the life of the upgrades.

How to Apply for NYSERDA EmPower+ in 2025 — Step by Step

The process is more straightforward than most people expect:

Step 1 — Check Your Eligibility Visit NYSERDA’s official EmPower+ eligibility page and select your county and household size. Takes about 60 seconds.

Step 2 — Gather Your Documents You’ll need one of the following:

• A HEAP, SNAP, TANF, or SSI award letter dated within the last 12 months, OR
• Your most recent federal tax return (Form 1040), OR
• 4 consecutive weeks of pay stubs plus documentation of all other income sources

You’ll also need a recent heating fuel or gas utility bill.

Step 3 — Apply Online or by Phone Create a profile on NYSERDA’s MyEnergy Portal and complete the application. You can also call 1-866-NYSERDA (1-866-697-3732) for help completing it by phone.

Step 4 — Schedule Your Free Home Energy Assessment Once approved, a certified EmPower+ contractor is assigned to you. They visit your home, identify the best improvements for your specific situation, and submit a plan to NYSERDA.

Step 5 — Get the Work Done After NYSERDA approves the plan, the contractor completes all improvements. You pay nothing (or half, for moderate-income tier). That’s it.

EmPower+ and the Inflation Reduction Act — What’s New in 2025

The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act meaningfully expanded what EmPower+ can offer. Here’s what changed:

• Maximum incentive for low-income households jumped from $10,000 to $24,000 per project
• New HEAR (Home Electrification Appliance Rebate) funding for heat pump water heaters, heat pump clothes dryers, and related electrical upgrades
• Up to $840 in appliance rebates under HEAR
• Additional federal tax credits up to $1,200 annually for insulation and efficiency improvements — stackable on top of EmPower+ benefits

In short, if you qualify for EmPower+, 2025 represents the largest pool of available upgrade funding in the program’s history. The combination of state program dollars and IRA investment means more free improvements than were ever possible before.

What If You Don’t Qualify? Other Options to Explore

Not everyone will fall under the EmPower+ income limits. If you’re above the threshold, there are still strong options available through our Services page:

• Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (AHP): Rebates and incentives for households above EmPower+ income limits
• NY Green Bank Smart Energy Loans: Low-interest financing from 3.49%, with amounts from $1,500 to $25,000 and terms up to 15 years
• On-Bill Recovery Loans: Loan payments roll into your utility bill — capped at your estimated monthly energy savings, so you never pay more than you save
• Federal Tax Credits: Any homeowner can claim up to $1,200/year in federal tax credits for qualifying energy efficiency improvements through 2025
• Utility Company Rebates: National Grid, NYSEG, Central Hudson, and Con Edison each have their own programs that can be combined with state offerings

Visit our Services page to see how we help New York households identify and access every program they’re eligible for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do renters qualify for EmPower+? Yes. Both homeowners and renters of 1–4 unit homes can apply. For core structural improvements like insulation or heat pumps, the landlord must give written approval — but the program has tools specifically designed to facilitate landlord participation.

Which year’s income does NYSERDA look at? NYSERDA looks at your current household income, not just prior-year income. If you’ve had a recent drop in income (job loss, reduced hours, retirement), you can document your current situation with recent pay stubs rather than relying solely on your last tax return.

Can I apply if I heat with oil, propane, or wood? Yes. Households that heat with oil, propane, kerosene, wood, or coal are eligible — as long as you meet income requirements and live in an eligible home type. You’ll need to provide a recent fuel supplier bill.

How long does the process take? Typically 2–4 months from application to completed improvements. Having all your documents ready when you apply speeds things up considerably.

Is there a waitlist? NYSERDA funding can be limited, and assistance isn’t guaranteed. That said, with $120 million allocated for 2026 and strong IRA backing, the program has more capacity than at any previous point. Apply as early as possible to secure your spot.

Can I combine EmPower+ with other programs? Absolutely — and you should. EmPower+ stacks with federal IRA tax credits, utility rebates, and NYSERDA financing for any cost gaps. Your certified contractor will help identify every available incentive for your situation.

Bottom Line: Don’t Leave Free Money on the Table

Energy upgrades aren’t a luxury — they’re a practical investment that pays dividends every month in lower utility bills. For income-eligible New Yorkers, EmPower+ removes the single biggest barrier: upfront cost. The state pays for the work; you keep the savings permanently.

A family of four earning under $76,680 can have their home professionally upgraded at zero cost. Moderate-income households earning up to $102,240 can get half their upgrade costs covered, with low-interest financing available for the rest.

With more funding available in 2025 than at any point in the program’s history, there’s never been a better time to act.

Sources: NYSERDA EmPower+ Program (nyserda.ny.gov) | EPA EmPower+ Program Profile (2024) | NYSERDA Residential Retrofit Impact Evaluation | American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, 2020 | New York State Budget FY2026