New York State is the first state in the nation to offer the first phase of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) Program funding to consumers.
The initial $39.6 million formula grant will expand the reach of New York’s EmPower+ program by allowing more low-income families to improve their homes with energy efficiency and electrification upgrades that will reduce energy costs and transition away from burning fossil fuels in their homes. Governor Kathy Hochul said Thursday’s announcement supports the State’s nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent by 2050 and the requirement for at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent of the benefits of clean energy investments supporting disadvantaged communities.
Funding for the full portfolio of IRA Home Energy Rebate programs and deployment of additional rebates is expected later this year. The State is eligible to receive a total of $317.7 million through the DOE’s IRA Home Energy Rebate programs: $159.3 million for the Home Efficiency Rebates program and $158.4 million for HEAR program.
In April 2024, the U.S DOE approved the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) partial-scope application for this initial funding, which allows NYSERDA’s low-income EmPower+ program to expand its current reach by providing funding for additional energy efficiency and beneficial electrification improvements, such as insulation and air sealing, heat pumps for space and water heating, and any necessary electrical upgrades to support those improvements.
Now, eligible owners of one-to-four-family households that have a household income below 80 percent of the Area Median Income or participate in a utility payment assistance program will automatically be enrolled to benefit from IRA HEAR incentives when they apply to the EmPower+ program. Incentives are provided to residents through EmPower+ contractors to reduce the cost of installing energy efficiency and electrification upgrades in a home or apartment, making them more affordable for New Yorkers. For more information including the application process and eligibility requirements, please visit NYSERDA’s website.
NYSERDA is currently working towards developing and submitting the full HEAR application to enable rebate offers to moderate-income residents, up to 150 percent of area median income, and to owners of larger low- and moderate-income multifamily buildings, including high-efficiency electric appliance rebates.
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