These additional incentives can make heat pump installation 1/2 cost or free! We expect spaces in this program to be filled quickly. Do not delay!
New York State is practically giving away 500 heat pump systems! Participating contractors are available to install either geothermal or air source heat pump systems and water heaters in income-qualified homes at a greatly reduced cost to the homeowner. Funds are limited, so act now!
You qualify if…
- You either rent or own your home
- You do not currently heat your home with natural gas
- Your heating system is 5+ years old
- Your home’s insulation is, or can be made, efficient
- Your household qualifies for Empower or Assisted Home Performance
In the next decade, millions of New York homes will switch to heat pumps for cleaner, greener heating and cooling. We want to ensure everyone can make the switch. In an effort to learn how to better serve low-to-moderate income households in the transition to heat pump technology, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is conducting a Heat Pump Demonstration Study.
Through the study, approximately 500 income-eligible households can access additional incentives for Air Source Heat Pumps, Ground Source Heat Pumps, Heat Pump Water Heaters, panel box upgrades and heating system distribution (i.e. ductwork) improvements. These incentives can be added to the available utility incentives!
Details
This study is open to all low-and-medium income households that are not currently heated with natural gas. Current heating systems must also be at least 5 years old to qualify. Income eligibility is determined by the Assisted Home Performance income guidelines and the EmPower income guidelines, as described in the table below. If you make less than the stated income maximum for your household size, you qualify!
Each participating home must first meet minimum insulation levels which will be verified by a contractor with an energy audit. This is to ensure that heat pumps are properly sized and homes reach maximum levels of comfort!
If homes do not currently meet required insulation levels, homeowners can work with contractors through the Assisted Home Performance and/or EmPower programs which provide incentives to cover up to 50-100% of the cost of energy efficiency improvements, such as insulation, for LMI households.
For example: A household that currently heats with propane is in need of $10,000-worth of insulation and is interested in converting to heating and cooling with a 3-ton air source heat pump. This also requires a $2,000 upgrade to the electric panel box. This household could receive $14,000-$27,000 to cover costs of these upgrades and a new Heat Pump system!
How to Apply
This opportunity is available on a first-come, first-served basis until funding runs out.
- If you have already received a quote from a HeatSmart CNY installer, contact them directly, let them know you want to be included in the Heat Pump Demonstration Study.
- If you have not yet enrolled in HeatSmart CNY, do so now!
- If your income is between 80-120% of area median income (see chart above) – download and submit the Assisted Home Performance income verification application ASAP.
Questions? Read NYSERDA’s Heat Pump Demonstration Study FAQ or call our Program Director, Lindsay Speer at 315-313-5050.