Program Incentive Structure
Your project may fall into either of the following pathways: Comprehensive Pathway or Non-Comprehensive Pathway.
The Comprehensive Pathway provides greater incentives, while allowing for more significant efficiency upgrades by encouraging whole-building retrofits across multiple building systems (e.g., heating and cooling, insulation and lighting). Incentives are applied based on a point system. A minimum of 100 points will need to be achieved to fall into comprehensive category. To help affordable multifamily property owners and managers identify energy efficiency opportunities and develop comprehensive scopes of work, energy audits, also known as energy assessments, will be required. Technical assistance is available to offset part of the cost of the audits. See below for more details.
The Non-Comprehensive Pathway is available for affordable multifamily property owners and managers interested in completing smaller projects that do not reach 100 points or do not want technical assistance. Incentives for projects in the Non-Comprehensive Pathway are determined by the equipment installed and/or energy savings.
Comprehensive Pathway Incentive Structure
Featuring both greater incentives and dramatically improved energy efficiency, the Comprehensive Pathway is for more-intensive whole building retrofit projects. A point designation, which ranges from 5 to 40, has been assigned to each in the table below.
Comprehensive Pathway Point Allocation Per Measure
| 40 Points Per Measure | 30 Points Per Measure | 20 Points Per Measure | 10 Points Per Measure | 5 Points Per Measure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - Window replacement -Insulation (roof) - Insulation (wall) - Boiler replacement | -Domestic hot water heater replacements | - Energy management system (EMS) - Hot water steam pipe insulation - Central cooling - Elevators - Ventilation such as energy recovery ventilators | - Air sealing - Orifice plates -Steam traps - TRVs - HVAC electric controls (BMS thermostats) - Motors and drives | - Boiler clean & tune - Common area lighting - In-unit direct install measures such as faucet aerators, showerheads, LEDs - Appliances (stoves, refrigerators, washer/dryers, dishwashers) |
Any project that accumulates 100 or more total points qualifies as a comprehensive project. Please refer to the incentive fact sheet for additional information on eligible measures, requirements, and incentive amounts.
Incentive Amounts
Comprehensive project incentives are provided on a dollar per dwelling unit basis, with two tiers of incentives based on a project’s total points. The higher the tier, the higher the incentive amount per dwelling unit.
Comprehensive Pathway Incentive
| Tier | Minimum Points | Upstate Incentive ($/Dwelling Unit) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100 | $900 |
| 2 | 150 | $1,200 |
Technical Assistance for Energy Audits
To qualify for Comprehensive projects energy audits, also known as energy assessments, will be required. These are conducted by NYSERDA approved Energy Providers before the project begins and will help identify energy efficiency opportunities to determine an initial scope of work. To encourage and support Comprehensive projects, view a list of Energy Providers. The program covers up to 75% of the costs associated with these assessments.
For a list of eligible Energy Providers, click here to find a NYSERDA Multifamily Building Solutions Provider or a NYSERDA FlexTech Consultant.
If a building has recently gone through an energy audit, they may be exempt from this requirement. Examples of eligible audits include ASHRAE Level II or an Integrated Physical Needs Assessment (IPNA).
Interested in becoming an eligible energy provider? Learn more about becoming a NYSERDA Multifamily Building Solutions Provider or a NYSERDA FlexTech Consultant.
Non-Comprehensive Pathway Incentive Structure
The Non-Comprehensive Pathway is available for affordable multifamily property owners and managers interested in completing smaller projects that do not reach 100 points. Incentives for these projects are determined by the equipment installed and/or energy savings. Technical assistance is not required for these projects and there is no minimum points threshold per project.
We also offer free installation in dwelling units of quick, easy measures such as LED lights, low flow showerheads, and faucet aerators.
Please reference the incentive fact sheet below for current information on eligible measure, requirements, and incentive amounts.
