NYSERDA EmPower+: A Homeowner Guide to No- and Low-Cost Energy Upgrades

NYSERDA's EmPower+ program is one of the most important programs for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers who want to improve home comfort and energy efficiency but may not be able to pay the full cost of upgrades themselves.

The program is available to income-eligible owners and renters of one-to-four family homes. The process begins with an application and income-eligibility review. Approved households can receive a no-cost comprehensive home energy assessment that looks at where the home is losing energy and where improvements may provide the greatest benefit.

Some measures can be installed at no cost during the assessment. Larger projects may receive program funding for eligible improvements such as air sealing, insulation, heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and certain electrical service and wiring upgrades.

The exact incentive depends on household income, the home, the measures being installed, and the region. NYSERDA's current 2026 program information lists different caps for low-income and moderate-income single-family households, with higher maximums in designated downstate counties. Because these amounts and program rules can change, homeowners should verify current eligibility before signing a contract or paying for work.

EmPower+ also uses participating program contractors. When applying, a homeowner can select a participating contractor or may be assigned one through the program. The contractor performs the assessment, develops the recommended scope of work, and follows program requirements for documentation, installation, and quality assurance.

For renters, landlord approval is generally required before building improvements can move forward. Two-to-four family properties have additional eligibility rules, including provisions that may allow the entire building to qualify when enough units meet income requirements.

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners can make is completing an eligible project first and trying to apply for assistance afterward. Incentive programs typically require the application, approval, assessment, contractor selection, and project documentation to happen in the correct order.

If your home is drafty, difficult to heat, expensive to cool, or running older equipment, EmPower+ is worth checking before you assume an upgrade is unaffordable. The best first step is to review the current NYSERDA eligibility guidelines and start the application before beginning the project.