The exterior unit of a ground source heat pump, installed at a home in the Southern Tier in 2021. Photo by Erica Herman.
By Harrison Hensley
Have you heard of but are skeptical of heat pumps? In the latest edition of Tompkins Weekly, local expert Ian Shapiro helps explain how heat pumps work and debunks common misconceptions. Shapiro is the founder of Taitem Engineering and has worked on heat pump design and research for over 30 years.
Read the full article on Tompkins Weekly’s website.
Community Energy Advisor Devin Bialey talks about a resident he’s been advising. The resident is facing significant energy challenges in their old home, particularly it being constantly cold in the winter. Devin connected her with community resources and assistance programs, and she is now optimistic that the energy improvements she’s making will increase her home comfort in the long run.
John Graves and his wife used to struggle with a cold home in the winter and an overworked AC in the summer due to the house’s poor insulation. But help from Smart Energy Choices, as well as state assistance, was able to get him the insulation he needed, helping them stay comfortable all year round.
Jack Wright (he/him) has long had a passion for youth education, particularly environmental education. Before joining Smart Energy Choices, he spent four years doing farm-based and nature-based education, which eventually led him to seek out educational opportunities at Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County. Once he applied, he learned more about the PowerHouse, a Tiny Home structure with educational elements inside to help educate residents on ways to reduce their energy use and transition to renewable forms of energy.
Jack joined the Hub as PowerHouse Educator in January of 2023, and throughout the following summer, he led a wide variety of educational programs and workshops in and around the PowerHouse. PowerHouse programming usually happens around the warmer months, so in December of 2023, as PowerHouse programming wrapped up for the winter, Jack has taken on some Community Energy Advisor (CEA) work.
““If folks have energy questions, they can give us a call and we can point them in the right direction and make sure they’re getting all the incentives that are available to them.””
Jack said his favorite part of his role at the Hub is helping to explore complex subjects like energy with people of all ages. He also appreciates the Hub’s focus on equity, making energy assistance programs and education available to those who could most benefit from lower utility bills and a more comfortable home. In his free time, Jack loves gardening, particularly vegetables and flowers, as well as spending time with his wife and their dog.
Contact Jack for more information on the PowerHouse or if you are interested in energy advising.
Erica Herman (she/her) has had a passion for sustainability for most of her life, beginning with family RV camping trips all over the USA and Canada with her grandparents starting at age 7.
She earned her Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies and History at SUNY Potsdam, and prior to joining Smart Energy Choices, she worked for Get Your GreenBack Tompkins as the Associate Program Coordinator and then HeatSmart FLX South as the Campaign Director. When the HeatSmart grant program ended, Erica joined Smart Energy Choices as the Community Energy Advisor to continue work with Schuyler and Steuben Counties.
““The biggest thing for me is finding a way to relate to people so that people are comfortable, so that if there’s something that’s in the way from them getting work done, maybe it’s something else going on with their family or another barrier, that I’m available to assist them to move past that to work together.””
The most rewarding part of Erica’s role is supporting residents to navigate their energy needs and options, and the positive feedback she receives about how the Hub assisted them in that journey. She especially enjoys helping limited-income residents access clean energy resources that can help save them energy and money. With her experience at HeatSmart FLX South, Erica is best versed in heat pump technologies as well as weatherizing opportunities, but she can help residents with any questions they may have.
In her free time, Erica can often be found swing dancing or reading manga. She also enjoys meeting people and hearing their stories, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Contact Erica if you are interested in energy advising.
Leigh Miller (she/her) studied Environment & Sustainability in college. After graduating, she knew she wanted a role that would advance sustainability solutions for her local community. Having previously interned for HeatSmart Tompkins and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tioga County, it was natural for her to seek out the Community Energy Advisor position at Smart Energy Choices.
“I’m very interested in the bigger issue of climate change and want to help reduce emissions and have a better, more environmentally friendly world for future generations.”
Leigh has been in Tompkins County most of her life, and she thoroughly enjoys working on a small scale to help her community. She said this small scope allows her to see the significant impact she has on the residents she serves every day, encouraging her to continue pursuing the Hub’s mission of educating residents on energy-related issues.
Leigh has become well-versed in the various grant programs and financial incentives that people can access to reduce their energy bills, so she welcomes the opportunity to help residents navigate them. In her spare time, Leigh likes to dive into a good book or spend time outside going on walks and runs.
Contact Leigh for more information on clean energy technologies or energy advising.
By Jes Wickham
Starting in November 2023, customers of New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) saw and will continue to see an increase in their utility bills. This was a result of the recent rate case agreement between the utility and the state regulating agency, the New York Public Service Commission.
Under the three-year agreement, NYSEG residential electric customers with average usage rates saw their monthly electric bill increase by just under $10 in November 2023. Their bill will increase by another $9 starting May 2024 and by another $11 starting May 2025. This adds up to an extra $30 a month for the average electric bill. Residential gas heating customers with average usage rates saw their monthly bill increase by nearly $5 in November 2023, and that will increase by another $2 in May 2024 and by another $4 in May 2025, a total of $11 during this period.
Most of this increase comes from an increased delivery charge (see image below). This charge is what NYSEG charges for delivering the energy through their network of transmission lines. Over the next year and a half, this charge will increase by 62% for electricity and by 17.6% for gas compared to October 2023 rates. The rest comes from an increase in the “basic service charge” on a bill, a fixed monthly charge to cover utility costs, which increased by $2 in November of 2023 for most electric and gas customers.
If you are concerned with being able to pay these increased costs, there are steps you can take. Smart Energy Choices recommends that residents get an energy audit; they’re free, and they can provide you with possible solutions to make your home more energy efficient. Income-eligible households can qualify for programs that cover measures that can help seal cracks in your home, meaning you’ll use less heat and spend less on utility bills.
There are also assistance programs available to make your utility costs more affordable; reach out to Smart Energy Choices to explore your options, including assistance from NYSEG themselves for income-qualified households. CCE Tompkins staff can also connect interested residents to programs that can help income-qualified households reduce their energy use and upgrade to energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, which can bring down your bills even further.
