in North Hempstead   Information for Homeowners

North Hempstead has joined efforts with the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA), Green Jobs Green New York, and Home Performance with ENERGY STAR¨ to provide North Hempstead residents with an innovative program to retrofit homes to reduce energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

What is the program?

1.     Energy Audit

Once your application is approved, you will schedule an energy audit of your dwelling with a participating Building Performance Institute (BPI) accredited contractor.   During the audit, the contractor will perform a number of diagnostic tests, including:

•       Assessing the existing insulation
•       Conducting a blower door test to measure the amount of air leaking into and out of the home
•       Evaluating your home's heating, cooling and hot water systems
•       Checking appliance and lighting efficiency
•       Performing a health and safety inspection

2.     Analysis

Based on the results of the audit, the contractor will prepare and provide you with a report that contains a list of recommended improvements along with the cost of the improvements and the estimated energy and cost savings.  You will have an opportunity to work with the contractor to decide which energy efficiency measures to install.

3.     Savings and Comfort

Every improvement, some simple and some complex, can result in significant energy savings.  Some of the improvements that are covered under the program include:

•       Insulation and air sealing
•       Energy efficient lighting
•       Replacement of windows, skylights, and storm doors
•       Upgrades to or replacement of heating and hot water systems

4.   Financing

Up to $25,000 of improvements can be financed through a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR loan from NYSERDA at a low interest rate, as well as On-bill Recovery Loan, repaid through an installment charge on the resident’s utility bill. In addition, many of the measures are eligible for rebates or other financial incentives from LIPA, National Grid, and NYSERDA.

Follow-up

After the contractor finishes the work, he will run the diagnostic tests conducted during the energy audit again to verify that the measures are functioning correctly. 

Who is eligible?

LI GREEN HOMES in North Hempstead is open to all owners of 1 to 4 family homes.  For families with an annual income below 215,000 USD, the audit is free. For families that earn up to 430,000 USD, the audit will be partially subsidized.

If you own a home with central air conditioning or through the wall air conditioning units, you may be eligible for LIPA's Home Performance Direct and Home Performance with ENERGY STAR programs, and should contact LIPA at 1-877-ESTAR-LI or visit their website www.lipower.org for more information.

How to get started?

1.  Complete the free/reduced cost energy audit application.  Before you submit the application, we invite you to call us at 516-869-6311 so that we can review it with you over the phone.  Since incomplete applications may be rejected, we are available to help you make sure you have answered everything and provided all the information that NYSERDA needs to get you into the program.

2.  Obtain summaries of your home's energy usage over the past 12 months from your utility providers.  LIPA and National Grid provide this information online and by phone.  For a summary of your home's oil usage, please contact your oil provider.

3.  Mail, email, or fax the application and 12-month energy usage summaries to:

Mail:          GJGNY Audit                                      Fax:     (866) 335-6306

PO Box 12129                                                

Albany, NY  12212                             Email: GJGNY-Audit@csgrp.com

What should I do with the audit results?

If you have questions at any point in the process, please call:

The 311 Call Center at 311 in North Hempstead
or (516) 869-6311 outside of North Hempstead