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New York's federal home energy rebates (HEAR and HOMES) partly open

Administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

New York was the first state to launch the federal home energy rebates, but only the appliance half (HEAR) is paying, and only in two narrow ways: the Appliance Upgrade Program's heat pump dryer, panel and wiring rebates, and up to $1,600 for insulation and air sealing inside EmPower+ on projects without a heat pump. The whole-home rebates (HOMES) have not launched.

source · verified 26 September 2026 · amounts in US dollars

What it pays

Where New York's HEAR money is paid now
ProgramUp to
Appliance Upgrade Program: heat pump clothes dryer$840 (100% of cost below 80% of area median income, 50% from 80% to 150%)
Appliance Upgrade Program: electrical panel$4,000 (same shares)
Appliance Upgrade Program: electrical wiring$2,500 (same shares)
EmPower+: insulation, air sealing and ventilation$1,600, only on projects with no heat pump or heat pump water heater

HOMES, the rebates based on a whole home's energy savings, are not on NYSERDA's program list. NYSERDA's 2025 FAQ still describes HEAR in EmPower+ as up to $14,000, with $8,000 for a heat pump; the program manual NYSERDA's contractors now work to does not.

Who is eligible

income
Low income is under 80% of area median income, moderate 80% to 150%. EmPower+ has its own, lower lines.
homes
One- to four-unit homes; renters need the owner's written approval.
timing
No rebate for work or purchases made before you are approved.

Where the application goes

Through the program, not NYSERDA directly: MyEnergy for the Appliance Upgrade Program, an EmPower+ contractor for EmPower+.

Where the application goes
If this is youApply here
Appliance Upgrade Programnyserda.ny.gov
EmPower+nyserda.ny.gov

The thing most pages get wrong

Rebate sites say New York's HEAR rebates pay up to $14,000 through EmPower+, including $8,000 for a heat pump and $1,750 for a heat pump water heater. That is NYSERDA's 2025 FAQ. The EmPower+ program manual in use now allows HEAR money only for insulation, air sealing and ventilation, up to $1,600, and only on projects with no heat pump. Heat pumps in EmPower+ are paid from the state's Sustainable Futures funds instead, which cannot be combined with HEAR on the same project.