Reduce your home business overhead costs with energy conservation measures. Funding could cover 10% to 100% of your energy conservation costs.
Background: New York energy consumers from residential homeowners and tenants to manufacturing plants and commercial office buildings may qualify for these programs. In 1996, the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) called for the establishment of a System Benefits Charge (SBC). Your utility bill contains the line item SBC. You have been contributing to this funding since 1996.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) manages the resulting energy programs which targets efficiency measures, research and development and the low-income sector.
Home Performance with Energy Star Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, a national program from the U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE, offers a comprehensive, whole-house approach to improving energy efficiency and comfort at home, while helping to protect the environment.
Eligibility: Anybody in a single family home can apply to the Home Performance with Energy Star Program which is administered by the the Conservation Services Group(CSG). Once the energy audit (fee of $100 - $300)) is completed, families can choose either to have 10% of the energy conservation work ($3,000 limit) covered or have their energy conservation loan interest rate be reduced by 4%. The work to be done must provide a 10 - 11 year payback in energy savings.
How to Apply Contact an independent home improvement contractors that are accredited by the Building Performance Institute (BPI). BPI is a national resource for building science technology that sets standards for assessing and improving the energy performance, as well as the health and safety of homes. Each participating contractor has been trained in taking a ‘whole-house’ approach when testing your home and identifying energy efficiency improvements.
Assisted Home Performance With Energy Star Single Family Eligibility:
For those with incomes that are 80% of the median income, you may qualify to receive funding to cover the cost of your energy conservation costs. The funding can cover 10% to 50% ($5,000 limit) of the expenses and reduce your energy conservation loan interest rate by 4%. The energy conservation measures must provide a 10 - 11 year payback in energy savings.
Click to determine income eligibility by county.
Use your business records (what you use as documentation for your taxes) to document gross income and business costs for the three calendar months prior to the month of appllication and pro-rate them for an average gross monthly income.
Empower NY Empower NY: The energy conservation services provided by this program are provided at no cost to you. All customers, including renters, of large utility providers residing in 1-to-4 family homes with household income at or below 60% of state median are eligible. Your income level is what is taxable after your expenses are deducted (adjusted gross income, same as for the IRS).
If you qualify for the Empower NY program, if your home is determined to have:
-low energy usage, your home will receive cost-effective electric reduction measures, particularly lighting and refrigerator replacements,
-high energy usage, in addition, your walls and attic will be insulated and heating system will be repaired or replaced.
Both these programs are at no cost to you.
How to Apply To request an application, call the Empower Program c/o Honeywell at 1.800.263.0960. Honeywell International administers the program for NYSERDA.
