Story by Lourice Angie
A special presentation on the HeatSmartNY program was held before the start of the regular Town of Warwick Board meeting on Thurs., Dec. 12. Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton introduced campaign director, Carolyn Cassata of EnergizeNY, who opened the presentation by explaining the importance of the HeatSmart program.
HeatSmartNY is a New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) funded community outreach program that connects homeowners to local heating, cooling and energy efficiency experts who offer the latest clean energy technologies. Its community outreach campaigns are led by volunteers and supported by local sustainability groups and municipalities.
In the Warwick community, this includes the help of Sustainable Warwick volunteers and HeatSmart Chairpersons: Michael Helme, Town of Warwick; Gary Sullivan, Village of Florida; Chad Pillieri, Village of Greenwood Lake; Geoffrey Howard, Village of Warwick; and HeatSmart technical advisor Dr. Bill Makofske. HeatSmart Warwick is brought to homeowners in partnership with Sustainable Warwick, Energize NY and NYSERDA, who all share one common mission, to help local homeowners learn about improved clean energy choices for their homes.
This community outreach program connects residents to local energy experts who offer the latest clean technologies, including air source and geothermal heat pumps, and efficiency improvements. Additionally the campaign offers free or reduced cost assessments from their installer partners.
Seven months ago, the HeatSmart initiative was introduced to the Town of Warwick and since then, the Town and its Villages have been very supportive of exploring the opportunity to significantly reduce home energy consumption, lower energy bills, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and increase a year-round comfort and value to residents with HeatSmart Warwick.
“I want to thank Supervisor Sweeton and the Warwick Town staff for the help and support in sharing our message, and I want to thank Mayor Newhard of the Village of Warwick, Mayor Harter and the staff of the Village of Florida, and Mayor Dwyer and the staff of the Village of Greenwood Lake. Rather than sit on the sidelines, the Warwick leadership really does do admirable initiatives in the effort to a cleaner environment,” said Cassata.
Michael Helme. HeatSmart chairperson for the Town of Warwick, helped lead the campaign, assisted in planning, wrote press releases, served as a local representative and more. Helme read a letter on behalf of Dr. Bill Makofske thanking the Town of Warwick for its sponsorship and thanking Carolyn Cassata for her dedication, leadership and competence in educating the community to the possibilities of new and improved heat pump technology that can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels for heating and cooling.
Helme said he strongly believes the HeatSmart campaign has been a good introduction for the residents of Warwick to the heating and cooling future.
Cassata gave the results of a seven-month study that was conducted, a total of 34 events and eight heat pump installations and an uptick in the amount of “enrollments”, i.e., the number of people seeking information and guidance on the program.
“The seven-month outreach has concluded, but the free support services never end. We’re always available and happy to help our residents discover incentives and learn about program changes, that’s our goal,” said Cassata.
For more information on the HeatSmart Warwick initiative. visit their website at: www.heatsmartny/warwick.com or call 914-302-7300 ext 1., or email; info@energizeny.org
Next Town Board Meeting
The next meeting of the Warwick Town Board will be held on Thurs., Dec. 26, at 7:30 p.m. in the Warwick Town Hall, located at 132 Kings Hwy. in Warwick.
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