The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has recognized two contractors in the Finger Lakes region for demonstrating excellence in helping homeowners reduce their energy use and make their homes more safe and comfortable in 2013 through the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program. "The winners of these awards have distinguished themselves among their peers. We congratulate them and appreciate their hard work to help homeowners reduce their energy use and their energy costs," said John Rhodes, president and CEO, NYSERDA. "Governor Cuomo has stressed the importance of energy efficiency to decrease the State's carbon footprint and continue the growth of the clean-energy economy in the State, and contractors like these are making that happen." Home Energy Performance by Halco of Phelps (Ontario County) received NYSERDA's award for Outstanding Achievement and Excellence. In the past two years, Halco's Home Performance division increased the number of home energy improvement projects completed by almost 30%. "Employee education is key at Halco," said president Hal Smith. "We leverage the NYSERDA on-the-job training program to the fullest extent possible. Plus, the entire team meets on a weekly basis to discuss happy customers, but also the projects that didn't go perfectly. We can't fix yesterday, but we sure can make tomorrow better." Isaac Home Energy Performance of Rochester received the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Top Performing Contractor award for the Finger Lakes Region, one of eight regional awards across the State. Regional award winners were determined based on their program participation, energy-efficiency gains achieved by their customers, quality assurance scores and surveys of participating homeowners. Other winners of these statewide awards were: A. Johnson Home Comfort of Gloversville, which was named Outstanding New Contractor, and New York Homeowners Construction Co. LLC of Syracuse, which received the award for Outstanding Achievement in Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, which serves homeowners with household income equal to or lower than 80% of the average state or area income. Home Performance with ENERGY STAR uses a whole-house approach to reduce home energy usage. Homeowners receive a comprehensive home energy assessment performed by a participating contractor accredited by the Building Performance Institute. Through funding from Green Jobs-Green New York (GJGNY), established by New York State to encourage energy efficiency, home energy assessments through the Home Performance program are free for most New Yorkers. The contractor provides a comprehensive home energy assessment report with recommendations for home improvements that will save energy, and the homeowner decides which work to have performed. Cash-back incentives and low-cost financing are available to help pay for recommended energy-efficiency improvements, including On-Bill Recovery Financing that homeowners repay through their utility bills.