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Urban CNY: HeatSmart CNY community initiative schedules four free public workshops and open house events

Winter is finally here, a polar vortex is making the news, and many of us are suddenly way too cold in our homes instead of feeling safe and snug. It’s a great time to learn about HeatSmart CNY, how to improve the comfort of our homes and buildings, and how to save money on heating!

At workshops about the HeatSmart CNY program, participants learn about efficient heat pump technologies including ground source (or “geothermal”) and air source (sometimes called “ductless mini-splits”) heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and insulation improvements.  Expert installers are present to answer technical questions.  Information will be provided about links to the incentives and tax credits available for people to make building envelope improvements and to install more efficient heating and cooling systems in residences, businesses, and community buildings.

At open house events, people can visit local homes with heat pumps in operation and talk to the homeowners and installers about the experience and the process, as well as get an abbreviated introduction to the HeatSmart CNY initiative.

All events are free and open to the public.

HeatSmart CNY is a grassroots community initiative to support residents, businesses, and community groups in exploring ways to improve how they heat and cool their buildings. We will connect you to local heating and cooling experts who offer energy efficiency retrofits and the latest energy efficient technologies, such as geothermal systems, cold climate air source heat pumps, and hot water heat pumps, and building envelope improvements such as air sealing and insulation. The campaign is a partnership between the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board and Alliance for a Green Economy, and additional community leaders are volunteering their time to support this effort.

Through community events, open houses, and workshops, HeatSmart CNY provides information about sustainable heating and cooling systems and provides access to vetted and trusted installers.  HeatSmart participants will learn what they can do to improve the efficiency and comfort of their homes and buildings, and receive a free site visit and evaluation to determine which clean heating and cooling technologies are best suited for their home or business.  In select communities, targeted campaigns may provide additional savings on installation costs by signing up multiple homes in a short time period. We also have some grants available for low and moderate income households to help defray the up-front costs to switching to a heat pump.

Who will be in attendance?

  • HeatSmart CNY Program Director Chris Carrick
  • HeatSmart CNY Campaign Manager Lindsay Speer
  • HeatSmart CNY Partner-Installers: representatives from A.C.E.S. Geothermal, Geotherm Inc, Halco, and Snug Planet
  • Steering Committee community volunteers
  • Homeowners who had ground source (geothermal) heating
  • Homeowners who are enrolling in the HeatSmart CNY program

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