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New Income Eligibility Guidelines for Energy Star Programs
Rising energy prices are putting a strain on household budgets across New York State. This pressure is especially difficult for those least able to afford it - households on fixed or moderate incomes.
In an effort to reduce some of this strain, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
NYSERDA) is changing the minimum income eligibility for participation in the Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and New York ENERGY STAR Labeled Homes Programs.
The objective of the Assisted Home Performance with Energy STAR program is to reduce energy costs of low to moderate income households by providing affordable energy efficiency improvements according to Patricia Madigan of Cornell University Cooperative Extension Putnam County.
Effective January 1, 2008 the guidelines for determining household income eligibility will be changed to using either 80% of US Department of Housing and Urban Development Area Median Income or 80% of the State Median Income, whichever is higher. This change will increase the number of New York households that qualify to receive Assisted Home Performance subsidies.
For those that reach the new guidelines, NYSERDA will pay 50% of the cost of home energy improvements such as adding insulation or up-dating the heating system. In addition, a reduced rate is available to finance the homeowners 50% share of the cost.
As an example, the new income levels for Putnam County are:
Household Member/Income: 1 - $39,700; 2 - $45,350; 3 - $51,050; 4 - $57,744
For additional household member and income ratio, check the website: www.GetEnergySmart.org or www.getenergysmart.org/ householdincome.aspx
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