HOMEOWNER SOLUTIONS

Your utility bill is too high.  Your home is drafty and uncomfortable. Large icicles form on your gutters after it snows, and you're worried about mold in your home. There are many steps you can take to reduce your energy bill and make your home safer and more comfortable, and NYSERDA programs can assist.

Complete an energy assessment

Find out where you can add insulation, air sealing measures, and more efficient lighting, by completing a Home Energy Assessment. These steps to improve energy efficiency can reduce your energy bills and make your home more comfortable. You’ll want to use an experienced, NYSERDA participating contractor for your assessment — use this guide to help you choose a contractor who is the best fit for your particular situation. Your contractor will produce a written report of recommendations. See a sample report here.

Insulate and Air Seal First!

The best first step is to make sure your home is as well insulated as possible. Insulation keeps your home warm in winter and cool in the summer. Air sealing prevents outside air from leaking into your home. Both measures make your home more comfortable. If you’re upgrading heating or air conditioning equipment, having your home as ‘tight’ as possible means that you can install a smaller, more efficient system.

Consider Clean Heat solutions

If your heating system or hot water tank is at the end of its useful life, consider switching to highly efficient heat pump systems. They are particularly cost-effective if you are heating your home with oil or propane. A bonus of heat pumps is that they provide air conditioning as well. Learn more about heat pumps.

Go solar!

You’ve taken important steps to reduce the amount of energy you need, now consider generating solar power for your home! When feasible, take advantage of tax credits and rebates to install rooftop panels on your home. Alternatively, participate in a community solar program — tenants are eligible as well. Going solar helps lower your energy bills. Learn more about solar.

Take advantage of NYSERDA programs

There are two basic programs from NYSERDA to help you pay for improvements, and they are based on your household income. 

View programs on NYSERDA’s website. You will need to select your county and the number of people in your home to view your eligibility and financing options. Then contact your Energy Advisor for help with your application.

While you can apply directly on the NYSERDA website, we can assist you with your application as well to make sure you’re accessing all available resources. Contact your Energy Advisor.

In addition to incentives, you may qualify for NYSERDA financing to complete improvements. Loan interest rates vary depending on your income. No matter what, the loan payment is established so that the savings you realize from improvements will be greater than the new loan payment. You can even put the payment on your utility bill.  We can help you apply.

If you are eligible for EmPower+, visit our Resources by County page to learn about additional resources to help you make your energy project successful.  If you are EmPower eligible and not yet receiving HEAP, please apply for HEAP as that will increase incentives.

Beyond NYSERDA, there are incentives from your utility company and federal tax credits. Please regularly visit our News & Updates page for new information about these incentives.

Talk to an Energy Advisor

We are here to help you navigate the process. To learn more about the opportunities you qualify for and your financial options, talk to an Energy Advisor by completing this form.

EmPower+

If you’re HEAP eligible, EmPower+ pays 100% of the cost of improvements, up to $10,000. If you’re moderate income, EmPower+ pays 50% of cost of improvements up to $5000.