Energy Rebates and Grants for Upstate New York Residents

New York couple reviewing utilities bills and making a plan for how they can save money by participating in rebates and grants

Home energy improvements can be costly up front, but it can lead to substantial savings in the future. Making energy efficient upgrades like replacing heating systems and installing insulation, can save Upstate New York homeowners and businesses up to 50% on energy bills annually.

As a fixture in the community for more than nine decades, Standard understands the struggle many Upstate New Yorkers face. Energy-efficient upgrades typically pay for themselves within a few years, but affording those changes is a huge barrier for many.

However, finances don’t have to hold you back from getting the upgrades that are needed to live and work comfortably.

Let’s explore available energy rebates, grants, and incentives that provide financial assistance and make it possible for renters and homeowners to take advantage of environmentally friendly improvements.

EmPower+ Program

The EmPower+ program offered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) helps connect those in the Upstate region with free or low-cost energy improvements.

The program includes insulation, appliance replacements, heat pump installation, and more.

EmPower grants have enabled more than thousands of homeowners and renters in the Mohawk Valley and Capital Region to make energy improvements on their properties. For those who qualify to save money and energy through this program, making upgrades begins with a thorough home energy assessment conducted by a participating contractor like Standard. The program is open to homeowners and renters who meet the income requirements and live in a building with four or fewer units.

Other NYSERDA Programs and Incentives

EmPower grants are only one of the many resources available through NYSERDA designed to connect residents with the support they need to make energy-efficient improvements.

Additional options include:

New York State Clean Heat

The New York State Clean Heat heat pump program offers financial incentives for homeowners and businesses that install energy-efficient heat pumps for heating and cooling. These systems allow year-round comfort without the use of fossil fuels.

Financing Options

NYSERDA also offers home energy-efficiency financing options, including loans and tax credits. This makes it easier to afford investments designed to improve the energy-efficiency of a home.

NYSEG Incentives and Rebates

New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) is a utility company with a customer base of more than 900,00 electric and 270,000 natural gas customers across the Upstate region. Assistance programs and opportunities include:

Smart Solutions

NYSEG’s Smart Solutions Store offers homeowners and renters a marketplace to shop for energy-saving lightbulbs, smart thermostats, and other devices that offer instant rebates and other cost-saving options.

Residential Rebates

Additional NYSEG rebates and incentives include the Residential Rebates program for customers who install qualifying high-efficiency, smart thermostats, natural gas dryers and furnaces, boilers, and pool pumps.

Smart Savings Rewards

The Smart Savings Rewards program incentivizes homeowners to use less energy during peak times. For example, homeowners who buy a smart thermostat may qualify for a $45 gift card and a $20 credit on their energy bills.

man wearing a yellow safety vest with silver reflective stripes holding a brown clipboard with a NYSEG rebate

Energy Rebates from Other Utility Companies

Electric and gas companies offer a variety of their own programs to make improvements more affordable while lowering energy costs in addition to helping homeowners and businesses shrink their carbon footprint.

In addition to NYSEG, a few other companies offer incentives to consumers in the Capital Region too. This includes:

Central Hudson

Residents using Central Hudson can access discounts on local energy-efficient fixtures like smart thermostats and LED lighting. Other incentives include rebates on ENERGY STAR water heaters, heat pumps, and natural gas heating equipment. Central Hudson also picks up working refrigerators for free and pays the owner $100.

National Grid

Incentives are offered through National Grid to help homeowners save on heat pump systems, furnaces and boilers. Incentives also provide help with natural gas water heaters, smart thermostats, thermostatic radiator valves, and more.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Standard

For decades, Standard has been connecting Upstate New Yorkers with high-efficiency improvements and the financial assistance they need to support their goals. Call us at 800-738-1424 to speak with a friendly expert about the options available.

If you’re ready to get started, schedule a free consultation to have a trained professional assess your home.

About John Farruggia

John Farruggia is Programs Director and a BPI-certified (BPI-BA1) energy auditor at Standard. He helps homeowners in qualifying for the EmPower+ energy assistance program. John joined the company is 2018 as an energy auditor and has helped homeowners and renters across the Mohawk Valley and Capital Region save hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs.