Hello World! Welcome Friends! The energy costs are rising, and people are increasingly looking for solutions that can lower their bills and generally lead to a more efficient use of energy. Furthermore, this has become an environmental problem as well, meaning that renewable energy solutions have definitely become a thing. And an important one for that matter. Learn more about what that concept means.
It is of special importance for families with low income to be able to access those renewable energy solutions and to, thus, save some money on electricity. And, the good thing is that the state of New York is doing something about it. Or, better yet, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is. So, now we are going to discuss better what NYSERDA is doing to help low income families when it comes to power accessibility and costs, as well as discuss why all of that matters.
So, What Exactly Is the NYSERDA Empower+ Program?
Let us begin with the very basics here. The first thing you want to know is what the NYSERDA Empower+ program actually entails. This authority develops a lot of different programs, all aimed at promoting energy efficiency. But, the Empower+ is especially important here, as it is designed specifically for low income families, helping them lower their utility bills through certain energy efficiency improvements and upgrades.
What does this program specifically entail, though? Well, for starters, you get a free home energy assessment, aimed at doing a detailed evaluation and identifying the areas in which efficiency can be improved. The assessment is done by certified professionals who know precisely how to uncover any problems, and how to advise you on the more efficient use of power. This simple assessment can do a lot for your household. After all, changing a few habits can make a huge difference in your consumption.
Read about these efficiency programs in general: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Home-Energy-Efficiency-Upgrades
Even though the assessment itself can be useful, that is certainly not where the Empower+ program stops. In other words, it has more to offer. For one thing, you can get insulation and air sealing upgrades for your home. This will reduce drafts, consequently keeping homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, which will lead to your heating and cooling devices not having to work too hard to get the temperature right. In the end, this will result in lower utility bills.
Furthermore, the program can also provide you with energy efficient lighting solutions. For one thing, you can get LED bulbs, and then there is the opportunity to have some of your old and inefficient appliances, such as fridges and stoves, replaced. Of course, when replacing them, the key is in getting more energy efficient appliances, so as to further lower your bills.
On top of all that, through the Empower+ program, you can also repair, or replace, your old and inefficient heating and cooling systems. Upgrading those to more efficient models is certainly going to lead to substantial savings on your power bills, which is definitely of crucial importance. So, in short, the Empower+ program developed by NYSERDA is aimed at helping low income families save money on energy by providing them with proper assessments and useful upgrades that will lead to lowering utility bills.
As you may have guessed it already, there are eligibility criteria you will have to meet in order to be able to be a part of this program. Clearly, the program is aimed at low income households, but the specific income limit will vary depending on the size of your household, as well as on the location. Generally, though, it is aimed at those households that earn up to 80% of the area median income.
There is, however, another criterion that you will have to meet in order to be eligible for these solutions. In the simplest words possible you have to be a customer of a natural gas or an electric utility in the State of New York, as well as pay into the System Benefit Charge (SBC). After all, it is that charge that helps fund the entire program.
Why Does This Program Matter So Much?
Now that you’ve understood what it is and how it works, the next thing you want to do is get a clearer idea on why this program matters so much. What is it that makes the NYSERDA Empower+ program important and useful? Well, that is what we are going to be talking about next, so read on to get a better understanding about it. As you’ll quickly see, it can definitely be of great help to low income families, for several reasons.
First of all, there is the fact that it can help households lower their utility bills, as we’ve mentioned already. And, that is certainly a huge benefit in itself. Empower+ can make your home more energy efficient, thus reducing your bills and ultimately providing you with some financial relief. And, since power costs can consume a large portion of your overall household budget, there is no denying the fact that this is highly beneficial.
Furthermore, through the upgrades that the program can provide you with, you will get to make your household more comfortable. And, improving the living conditions will have a significant impact on your overall health. This is especially important for older homes that may be having draft issues, as well as mold problems, and general poor quality of the indoor air.
Last, but not least, we cannot deny the fact that there are huge environmental benefits that come with this particular program. To put it as simply as possible, Empower+ contributes to the broader goals of the State of New York – goals connected to reducing gas emissions, and generally combating climate change. So, to sum it up, this program, together with others developed by NYSERDA, not only helps households reduce their energy costs and thus save some money, but it also helps reduce the state’s carbon footprint, thus contributing to creating a safer and healthier environment for everyone.
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