New York Home Energy Rebates · FindMyMoney.App

Quick Facts

Program scope: New York will deploy over $400 million of Inflation Reduction Act funding through NYSERDA to reduce energy use, accelerate electrification, and lower bills for households statewide.
Eligible properties: Single-family homes, small multifamily buildings (2–4 units), large multifamily properties, manufactured homes, and certain cooperative or condo units that receive individual electric bills.
Primary pathways: HOMES performance rebates rewarding energy savings, and High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebates (HEEHR) for appliance electrification in low- and moderate-income households.
Stackable incentives: Can layer with EmPower+, Clean Heat, Heat Pump Water Heater rebates, and the New York State Clean Energy Fund offerings, plus federal tax credits.
Action steps: Complete an energy assessment, gather income documentation, choose a participating contractor, and monitor the NYSERDA launch timeline to submit applications early.

Program Overview

New York’s climate law, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), demands dramatic reductions in building emissions. The IRA’s Home Energy Rebates supply a critical infusion of resources to help homeowners and renters decarbonize. NYSERDA is tailoring the program to coordinate with existing Clean Heat and EmPower+ offerings so residents experience a unified set of incentives instead of a confusing patchwork.

The state anticipates launching a phased rollout, beginning with low-income households and disadvantaged communities identified by the Climate Justice Working Group. Initial offerings will likely focus on heat pump water heaters, mini-split HVAC, and envelope upgrades that deliver immediate bill relief. Later phases will expand to moderate-income households and large multifamily properties, with aggregator partners like utilities, community-based organizations, and affordable housing developers administering projects at scale.

Because New York experiences extreme weather swings and has an aging housing stock, NYSERDA emphasizes comprehensive retrofits that tackle insulation, air sealing, and electric-ready upgrades such as panel modernization. The state is also piloting pre-weatherization assistance to resolve barriers like asbestos or knob-and-tube wiring that often disqualify homes from efficiency programs. By layering IRA funds, NYSERDA aims to eliminate co-pays for very low-income households and drastically reduce out-of-pocket costs for everyone else.

Eligibility and Income Thresholds

Residency Requirements

You must occupy or own a property located in New York State. Vacation homes and investment properties may qualify for HOMES rebates if energy savings are demonstrable, but HEEHR electrification rebates focus on primary residences.
Renters can benefit if landlords agree to participate, especially through whole-building projects in rent-regulated or subsidized housing. NYSERDA is developing tenant protection guidelines to ensure rebates translate into better living conditions and not rent hikes.

Income Verification

Low-income households (≤80% AMI): Eligible for the highest rebate rates. NYSERDA will accept documentation like tax returns (Form IT-201), benefit award letters, pay stubs, or participation in programs such as HEAP, SNAP, or Section 8.
Moderate-income households (≤150% AMI): Eligible for mid-tier rebates and may have to contribute some cost share.
Above 150% AMI: Can still earn HOMES performance incentives but are excluded from HEEHR appliance rebates unless DOE guidance expands eligibility.
Multifamily properties: Income is determined building-wide. Affordable housing financed with Low-Income Housing Tax Credits or Housing Trust Fund support automatically qualifies for low-income tiers.

Property Condition Requirements

Homes must meet basic safety standards. Projects addressing lead paint, structural deficiencies, or roof repairs may require additional funding sources like RESTORE or Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) grants.
Electrical systems must be capable of supporting new loads. Panel upgrades and wiring improvements are eligible measures under HEEHR up to $4,000, but homeowners should schedule these first to avoid project delays.

Incentive Structure

HOMES Rebates

Modeled savings pathway: Uses simulation software to project energy reductions. Rebates are paid per kWh saved, with higher rates for low-income households. Expect tiers like $4,000–$8,000 for 35%+ savings and lower amounts for 20–34% savings.
Measured savings pathway: Relies on utility bill data before and after retrofits. Particularly useful for multifamily properties and aggregator-driven projects.
Bonus incentives: Additional funds for projects located in disadvantaged communities, for heat-pump-centric retrofits, and for integrating demand-flexibility technologies (smart thermostats, load controls).

HEEHR Rebates

Appliance-specific caps: Up to $8,000 for heat pump HVAC, $1,750 for heat pump water heaters, $840 for induction cooktops, $500 for heat pump dryers, $1,600 for insulation and air sealing, and $4,000 for panel upgrades. Household cap remains $14,000.
Point-of-sale delivery: Retailers and contractors will apply discounts on invoices. Households should confirm participating vendors before purchase to avoid ineligible expenses.
Tenant protections: Landlords receiving HEEHR rebates must agree to maintain affordability and share savings with renters, potentially through stabilized rent increases or direct bill credits.

Application Roadmap

Schedule an energy audit: Utilize NYSERDA’s free or low-cost audits through EmPower+ or Home Performance with ENERGY STAR. Obtain blower door results, insulation levels, and equipment inventories.
Review project scope: Prioritize measures that unlock both HOMES and HEEHR incentives. Bundle envelope improvements with electrification to maximize total savings.
Secure contractor quotes: Choose installers from the NYSERDA participating contractor network. Request multiple bids specifying equipment efficiency ratings, labor costs, and expected rebates.
Prepare documentation: Gather income proof, proof of residency, and consent forms for sharing utility data. Multifamily owners should collect tenant income certifications or demonstrate regulatory agreements ensuring affordability.
Submit pre-approval: Contractors will enter project details into NYSERDA’s portal to reserve funds. Ensure reservations align with your construction timeline; extensions may require justification.
Complete installations: Work with contractors to schedule permitting, inspections, and tenant notices. Document pre-existing conditions with photos to support measured savings claims.
Finalize rebate claim: After installation, contractors upload invoices, commissioning reports, and inspection sign-offs. Homeowners review and sign final attestations before NYSERDA releases funds.

Documentation Toolkit

Detailed proposal or work order citing measure descriptions and costs.
Energy modeling report or Home Energy Score illustrating projected savings.
AHRI certificates for heat pump systems and water heaters.
Manual J/S calculations for HVAC sizing.
Proof of removal or safe decommissioning of fossil-fuel equipment.
Utility data access consent letters for all adults on the account.
For multifamily, rent rolls, regulatory agreements, and tenant notification letters translated into required languages.

Integrating Other Incentives

New York State tax credits: Combine with the Clean Heating Fuel Credit or Solar Energy System Equipment Credit if installing solar thermal or PV as part of a broader retrofit.
Utility programs: Con Edison’s Clean Heat, National Grid’s heat pump incentives, and NYSEG/RG&E rebates can stack. Ensure contractors coordinate submissions to avoid conflicting equipment requirements.
Weatherization Assistance Program: Low-income households can receive no-cost weatherization first, then apply IRA rebates for higher-cost electrification items.
Financing: Explore Green Jobs–Green New York loans, On-Bill Recovery financing, or Property Assessed Clean Energy (Energize NY) for covering remaining project costs. Document financing terms to confirm compliance with consumer protection rules.

Strategies for Co-ops and Condos

Engage the board early and secure shareholder votes for major capital improvements.
Conduct electrical load studies to plan for shared panel upgrades or new risers.
Establish clear cost-sharing agreements, possibly leveraging reserve funds or special assessments offset by rebates.
Communicate benefits like improved comfort, reduced boiler maintenance, and compliance with Local Law 97 carbon caps.

Tenant and Landlord Collaboration

Landlords receiving rebates may be required to file tenant protection plans with local housing agencies, ensuring rent increases remain regulated.
Tenants can advocate by collecting data on high utility bills, comfort issues, or health concerns (e.g., asthma triggered by gas stoves) to present a compelling case.
Community organizations like WE ACT for Environmental Justice or PUSH Buffalo offer navigator services to mediate between landlords and residents.

Project Planning Tips

Phase upgrades logically: Begin with envelope improvements (insulation, air sealing) to reduce load, then size heat pumps accordingly. This maximizes savings under the HOMES model.
Address ventilation: Incorporate balanced ventilation to maintain indoor air quality when tightening the building envelope.
Prepare for service disruptions: Provide temporary heating or cooling for tenants during equipment swaps, especially in winter months.
Monitor supply chains: High demand for heat pumps can cause delays. Place orders early and confirm lead times.
Plan for Local Law 97 compliance: For NYC multifamily properties, document how electrification reduces carbon emissions to satisfy building emissions limits and avoid penalties.

Example Projects

Buffalo Single-Family Home: The Johnson family, earning 60% AMI, plans attic insulation, air sealing, and a cold-climate heat pump. Project costs $22,000. With $8,000 HOMES rebates, $7,000 HEEHR appliance rebates, and $3,000 from EmPower+, their out-of-pocket cost drops to $4,000. They also claim federal tax credits for the remaining amount.
Bronx Multifamily Building: A 20-unit affordable housing property partners with a mission-driven aggregator. The project electrifies domestic hot water with central heat pump systems, upgrades panels, and installs smart thermostats. Total incentives exceed $150,000, covering 80% of project costs. Tenants sign income certifications and receive multilingual notices outlining health benefits.
Saratoga County Suburban Home: A moderate-income household upgrades to an induction range, heat pump dryer, and heat pump water heater while improving insulation. They use a Green Jobs–Green New York loan for the balance and schedule a panel upgrade before appliance installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will rebates be available? NYSERDA expects to open applications in 2025, starting with pilot regions. Subscribe to the Home Energy Rebates newsletter for updates.
Do I have to repay the rebate if I sell my home? No. Rebates are grants. Keep documentation to inform buyers about efficiency improvements.
Can landlords increase rent after upgrades? Rent-regulated units must follow DHCR rules. For market-rate units, NYSERDA may require agreements limiting rent increases tied to rebate-funded improvements.
Are fossil fuel backups allowed? HOMES may allow hybrid systems if they deliver substantial savings, but HEEHR requires fully electric appliances.
What if I live in a historic building? Coordinate with local preservation boards. Many allow reversible electrification upgrades that do not alter facades.