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EmPower+ open
Administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
NYSERDA's EmPower+ gives low- and moderate-income owners and renters of one- to four-family homes a free energy assessment and pays for insulation, air sealing and heating upgrades: free up to $12,000 upstate or $14,000 downstate for lower incomes, half the cost up to $6,000 or $7,000 for moderate incomes. Heat pumps get up to $10,000 more on top.
source · verified 26 September 2026 · amounts in US dollars
What it pays
| Household | Upstate | Downstate |
|---|---|---|
| Low income: the work is free, up to | $12,000 | $14,000 |
| Moderate income: half the cost, up to | $6,000 | $7,000 |
| Upgrade | Condition | Up to |
|---|---|---|
| Air-source heat pump | Per project | $10,000 |
| Ground-source heat pump | Per project | $10,000 |
| Heat pump water heater | One per project | $5,000 |
| Electrical panel | One per project | $5,000 |
| Electrical wiring | Per project | $2,500 |
| Insulation, air sealing and ventilation (federal HEAR) | Only on projects with no heat pump or heat pump water heater | $1,600 |
Downstate means Dutchess and Ulster counties and everything south of them, New York City and Long Island included. Two- to four-family rentals get more for each additional eligible unit. Sustainable Futures money cannot go on a project that also gets the federal HEAR money.
Who is eligible
| People in household | Most upstate counties | New York City, Rockland, Putnam | Nassau, Suffolk | Westchester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $41,676 | $68,063 | $69,263 | $71,400 |
| 2 | $54,504 | $77,775 | $79,163 | $81,600 |
| 3 | $67,332 | $87,488 | $89,063 | $91,800 |
| 4 | $80,160 | $97,200 | $98,925 | $102,000 |
| 5 | $92,988 | $105,000 | $106,875 | $110,175 |
| 6 | $105,816 | $112,763 | $114,788 | $118,350 |
| 7 | $108,216 | $120,563 | $122,700 | $126,488 |
| 8 | $110,616 | $128,325 | $130,613 | $134,663 |
| People in household | Most upstate counties | New York City, Rockland, Putnam | Nassau, Suffolk | Westchester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $55,568 | $90,750 | $92,350 | $95,200 |
| 2 | $72,672 | $103,700 | $105,550 | $108,800 |
| 3 | $89,776 | $116,650 | $118,750 | $122,400 |
| 4 | $106,880 | $129,600 | $131,900 | $136,000 |
| 5 | $123,984 | $140,000 | $142,500 | $146,900 |
| 6 | $141,088 | $150,350 | $153,050 | $157,800 |
| 7 | $144,288 | $160,750 | $163,600 | $168,650 |
| 8 | $147,488 | $171,100 | $174,150 | $179,550 |
- lines
- 60% (low) and 80% (moderate) of state or area median income, whichever is higher; NYSERDA's figures as of March 2026. "Most upstate counties" use the state median; some, such as Albany, Erie and Monroe, allow more for one- or two-person households.
- automatic
- An award letter for HEAP, SNAP, Temporary Assistance or SSI from the past 12 months proves income.
- homes
- Owners and renters of one- to four-family homes; renters need the landlord's approval.
Where the application goes
An application on NYSERDA's MyEnergy portal; NYSERDA then assigns or approves an EmPower+ contractor.
| If this is you | Apply here |
|---|---|
| Apply | nyserda.ny.gov |
| Help | 866-NYSERDA |
Heat pumps come from a different pot
The heat pump money in EmPower+ is the state's Sustainable Futures bond funding, $10,000 for an air- or ground-source heat pump on top of the project cap, and it is the same for low and moderate incomes. Long Island customers must first use PSEG Long Island's or National Grid's income-qualified programs, and whatever those pay comes off EmPower+'s cap.