What insulation help exists in New York City
We re-read Con Edison's weatherization page and NYSERDA's EmPower+ and Comfort Home pages on October 3, 2026. New York City's five counties are all on NYSERDA's downstate list, which gets the higher EmPower+ caps.
Con Edison Weather Ready
No longer accepting applications. Con Edison says 2027 weatherization incentives will be announced.
EmPower+ low income
No-cost insulation, air sealing and safety work for income-eligible owners and renters of 1 to 4 family homes, downstate cap.
EmPower+ moderate income
Half the cost of approved efficiency work, downstate cap. Federal HEAR money can add up to $1,600 for air sealing, insulation and ventilation.
NYSERDA Comfort Home
Seal and insulate packages through Comfort Home contractors, listed by county. Check that a contractor serves your borough.
Federal 25C credit
Not for work placed in service after December 31, 2025.
Why insulate before a heat pump
Since September 1, 2026, NYS Clean Heat pays a higher Weatherized Tier rate to homes that took part in an approved weatherization program. For a Con Edison single-family home replacing and removing its old system, that is $10,000 instead of $7,000. In a Disadvantaged Community it is $11,000 instead of $8,000. The higher tier does not apply to Con Edison projects that keep the old system with integrated controls.
What New York City homes look like
New York City has old buildings. The US Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2020 to 2024) counts about 3.68 million homes. 79% were built before 1980 and 38% in 1939 or earlier. About two out of three households rent, and only 9% of homes are single detached houses. Another 21% are in buildings of 2 to 4 units.
That 2 to 4 unit group matters most here. EmPower+ and Comfort Home are built for 1 to 4 family homes. Large apartment buildings use different programs run for building owners.
How heating fuel changes the math
The same Census survey shows 64% of city homes heat with piped gas, 17% with electricity and 11% with fuel oil. Insulation saves the most where heat costs the most. If you pay for oil, or heat with electric baseboards, air sealing and attic insulation tend to pay back faster. If you plan to switch to a heat pump, a tighter house also means a smaller, cheaper system.
Comfort Home in the city: check first
NYSERDA's Comfort Home pays $2,500 for a Good package (seal and insulate the attic and rim joist) and $3,000 for a Better package (Good plus walls and floors). Windows can add $2,000 once the sealing and insulation are done. Contractors are listed by county. Con Edison's own page points Westchester homes to Comfort Home but does not say the same for the five boroughs, so check the contractor list for your county before you plan around it. If no contractor serves your borough, EmPower+ is your main route.
Renters
Most New Yorkers rent. EmPower+ is open to income-eligible renters of 1 to 4 family homes, with the landlord's okay. If you rent in a bigger building, ask your landlord about NYSERDA's multifamily programs. Plastic window kits and door sweeps are cheap fixes you can do yourself while you wait.
How to get insulation help in New York City
- Check your income against EmPower+ limits on NYSERDA's site. The limits depend on county and household size.
- If you qualify, apply through the MyEnergy portal. A contractor does a free home assessment and recommends work.
- If you do not qualify, check the Comfort Home contractor list for your county and book a free consultation.
- If a heat pump is next, keep your weatherization paperwork. It is your proof for the Weatherized Tier.
Common questions
Is Con Edison's Weather Ready program still open?
No. On October 3, 2026, Con Edison's page said Weather Ready is no longer accepting applications and that 2027 weatherization incentives will be announced.
Can renters in New York City get free insulation?
Income-eligible renters of 1 to 4 family homes can apply to EmPower+, with landlord approval. Renters in larger buildings should ask their landlord about multifamily programs.
How does insulating raise my heat pump rebate?
NYS Clean Heat pays a higher Weatherized Tier to homes that took part in an approved weatherization program, such as Comfort Home. For a Con Edison single-family home with decommissioning, it is $10,000 instead of $7,000.
Is there a federal tax credit for insulation in 2026?
No. The IRS says the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit does not apply to work placed in service after December 31, 2025.
What counts as downstate for EmPower+?
NYSERDA lists the Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens and Richmond counties as downstate, along with nearby counties. Downstate homes get the higher caps.
What to do next
Start with the income check on NYSERDA's EmPower+ page. Then see our New York City heat pump guide for the bigger rebate that insulation unlocks, or the New York City rebate hub for everything else.
By Sam Menard. Sources, last read October 3, 2026: Con Edison: Weather Ready, NYSERDA: EmPower+, NYSERDA: Comfort Home, NYS Clean Heat Program Manual, US Census Bureau ACS table B25034, year built. All New York City rebates → Every Con Edison rebate →