How To Know if a Heat Pump Is the Right Solution for Your Home or Business
Are your heating costs too expensive? Is your system needing repairs? Would you like to be able to cool your home or business in the summer as well as heat it in the winter using the same system?
Residents of Schuyler, Steuben, Seneca, and Yates Counties can now access guidance and financial incentives for weatherization and/or upgrading their heating and cooling systems through HeatSmart FLX South – a new community campaign open to homeowners, renters, landlords, small businesses, and non-profits, including mobile and modular homes.
We recommend contacting HeatSmart for a free clean heating and cooling consultation if:
- Your current heating system needs repairs or is dying;
- Your heating costs are expensive with oil, propane, kerosene, or electric-resistance heating;
- Your home uses plug-in electric heaters or the oven to keep warm;
- You would like to reduce your carbon footprint;
- You or your family (or staff members and customers) have health needs that would benefit from improved indoor air quality.
“We work with residents to determine their needs, and help them find affordable improvements,” explained HeatSmart FLX South Campaign Director Erica Herman. “There are matching funds, special incentives, and tax incentives available, and low-income families may qualify for free or low-cost weatherization or heat pump installations.
Through consultations with residents and small business owners, HeatSmart program contractors conduct free energy audits, weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades appropriate for each person’s situation. The goal is for more residents to adopt heat pump heating and cooling equipment to lower energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
HeatSmart FLX South is a new program based at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County, serving residents, small businesses, and non-profits in Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, and Yates Counties, in cooperation with their local Extension associations. We are a Clean Heating and Cooling Community funded by the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA). Additional information can be found on the website www.heatsmartflxsouth.org.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has awarded over $9 million to support over 20 HeatSmart Community Campaigns throughout the state which conduct community outreach and education efforts to inform residents about the benefits of heat pumps, home energy efficiency improvements and other clean energy technologies.
NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “The transition of homes and businesses away from fossil-fuels to carbon-free, all electric heat pumps is a cornerstone of New York’s building decarbonization strategy and one that will help us meet our ambitious goal to reduce greenhouse gases 85 percent by 2050. The benefits of heat pumps go beyond just environmental impact as these technologies are more efficient, longer lasting, and provide superior levels of indoor environmental quality as compared to traditional fossil-fuel systems and we applaud HeatSmart FLX South on their campaign kickoff and commitment to sustainability.”
A Kick-Off event for HeatSmart FLX South is scheduled for May 18th at 6:30pm. Details will be available at www.heatsmartflxsouth.org or by calling (607) 535-7161 x3223.
Anyone interested in receiving more information or signing up for the program can contact Erica Herman at heatsmartflxs@cornell.edu or via phone.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer.
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