What Is EmPower+ New York?
EmPower+ is a NYSERDA-funded program designed to help income-eligible New York residents make energy improvements to their primary residence. The program provides direct funding toward upgrades that lower energy bills, improve home comfort, and reduce energy waste.
Unlike rebate programs where you pay upfront and get reimbursed, EmPower+ covers costs directly. For qualifying low-income households, energy improvements are provided at no cost. Moderate-income households receive funding covering 50% of project costs.
The program is available to both homeowners and renters of one- to four-family properties across New York State. Home Performance Professionals has completed hundreds of EmPower+ projects throughout Western New York, helping families in Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Tonawanda, Niagara Falls, Lackawanna, and surrounding communities access these benefits.
What Does EmPower+ Cover?
EmPower+ funds a range of energy efficiency improvements based on what your home needs. Your participating contractor will identify the right upgrades during a comprehensive home energy assessment.
No-Cost Home Energy Assessment
Every EmPower+ project begins with a full diagnostic evaluation of your home. Our certified technicians use blower door testing and thermal imaging to measure air leakage, assess insulation levels, evaluate heating system performance, and identify where energy and money are being wasted. You’ll receive a customized plan to lower energy usage.
Air Sealing and Insulation
The program prioritizes core energy efficiency improvements. This includes sealing gaps and cracks in your home’s building envelope (attic penetrations, rim joists, plumbing chases, electrical penetrations) and upgrading insulation in attics, walls, and floors. These improvements stop drafts, reduce heat loss, and stabilize indoor temperatures year-round.
Heat Pumps and Heat Pump Water Heaters
For homes that have completed air sealing and insulation, contractors can recommend heating and cooling equipment upgrades through EmPower+. This includes energy-efficient heat pumps for whole-home heating and cooling, and heat pump water heaters that dramatically reduce hot water energy costs.
Electrical Service and Wiring Upgrades
EmPower+ also covers electrical panel upgrades and wiring improvements necessary to support new energy-efficient equipment. This removes a common barrier that prevents homes from adopting modern heating and cooling technology.
Health and Safety Measures
The program covers necessary health and safety work, including carbon monoxide detector installation, combustion safety testing, ventilation improvements, and other measures to ensure your home is safe after weatherization work is completed.
EmPower+ Incentive Amounts
Funding levels depend on your household income and location:
Low-Income Households (upstate New York):
- Up to $12,000 in no-cost energy efficiency improvements per project
Moderate-Income Households (upstate New York):
- 50% of project costs covered, up to $6,000 per project
Additional HEAR Incentives:
Through the Home Electrification Appliance Rebate (HEAR), eligible households can receive additional funding on top of the base EmPower+ amounts:
- Air sealing, insulation, and ventilation: up to $1,600
- Heat pumps: up to $8,000
- Electrical panel upgrade: up to $4,000
- Electrical wiring upgrade: up to $2,500
These HEAR incentives stack with your base EmPower+ funding, meaning total project incentives can significantly exceed the base caps. Your EmPower+ contractor will help determine what improvements and incentive amounts your household qualifies for.
Who Qualifies for EmPower+?
Homeowners and renters must meet income requirements to qualify. You may be eligible if:
- Your household income is below 80% of the State or Area Median Income, OR
- You participate in a utility payment assistance program (such as HEAP, SNAP, TANF, or Supplemental Security Income)
The program serves owners and renters of one- to four-family households. For rental properties, the building owner must approve the work. For two- to four-family properties, 50% or more of units must be income-eligible.
Income limits vary by county and household size. For Erie County and Niagara County residents, contact our team at (716) 833-9295 and we’ll help you determine eligibility before you apply.
How the EmPower+ Process Works
Step 1: Gather Documentation
Before applying, collect your income documentation (HEAP/SNAP/TANF award letter, or paystubs/tax returns) and copies of your electric and gas utility bills.
Step 2: Apply Through the MyEnergy Portal
Create a profile at NYSERDA’s MyEnergy Portal and complete the EmPower+ application online. This is the fastest way to apply. You can also download a printable application to mail in.
Step 3: Receive Approval
Once your application is approved, you’ll receive an email with contact information for your assigned EmPower+ contractor. Request Home Performance Professionals as your contractor.
Step 4: Home Energy Assessment
We’ll schedule a time to perform your comprehensive energy assessment, identifying where your home is losing energy and which improvements will deliver the greatest impact.
Step 5: Recommendations and Project Approval
We submit our recommendations for energy improvements to EmPower+ for review. Once approved, we’ll provide you with an overview of the approved incentive amounts.
Step 6: Installation
Our crews complete all approved work, including insulation, air sealing, and any additional measures. Most projects are completed in one to two visits, with minimal disruption to your household.
Why Choose Home Performance Professionals?
As a participating EmPower+ contractor with over 25 years of experience in Western New York, we bring building science expertise to every project:
- BPI-certified technicians trained in diagnostics and energy efficiency
- Advanced blower door testing and thermal imaging equipment
- Hundreds of completed EmPower+ projects across Erie and Niagara County
- We help you navigate the application, coordinate with NYSERDA, and keep you informed throughout
- Same professional workmanship on every project, whether funded through EmPower+ or privately
Areas We Serve for EmPower+ Projects
We complete EmPower+ projects throughout Western New York, including Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Tonawanda, Amherst, Lackawanna, West Seneca, Depew, Lancaster, Hamburg, Orchard Park, Niagara Falls, Lockport, North Tonawanda, Grand Island, Lewiston, and surrounding communities in Erie County and Niagara County.
Find Out If You Qualify for EmPower+
Don’t leave money on the table. If your household meets income guidelines, you could receive up to $12,000 in free energy improvements, plus additional incentives for heat pumps and electrical upgrades. Contact Home Performance Professionals today for a free eligibility consultation, or call us directly at (716) 833-9295 to get started.
Once you are approved for the program, contact our team at Home Performance Professionals, and we will schedule you for an assessment. Start saving on energy bills now!
