Did you know…
On-site combustion of natural gas (for heating buildings and hot water) is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the City of Rochester.
This combustion comprises 51% of total emissions, even without including the methane emissions associated with the extraction and transport of natural gas.
Households spending more than 6% of income on energy bills are considered to be “energy burdened.”
According to a recent ACEEE report, the median low-income energy burden in Rochester is 9.5% and a quarter of low-income households spend more than 16% of their income on energy costs.
New York State law requires that our region achieve net zero emissions economy-wide by 2050.
With the exception of some difficult to electrify applications (e.g., aviation), this means that all our energy needs will have to be met by 100% renewable electricity. This transition won’t be easy, but it will be very good for our health and pocketbooks over the long term.
Heat pumps are a great way to achieve beneficial electrification. However, large-scale capital improvements aren’t the only way to make your building more energy efficient.
You can identify many “low-hanging fruit” energy and cost saving opportunities through a comprehensive site energy study. Connect with resources for an energy audit on the Get Started Now page.
Exposure to carbon monoxide can be fatal at high levels, while low levels of exposure can cause a wide range of symptoms that are difficult to diagnose and are therefore mistaken for conditions such as depression, Alzheimer’s, and migraines.
Eliminating fossil fuel combustion eliminates the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
In New York State, there are a variety of incentives available to both residential and commercial buildings for energy efficiency and clean energy!
See the full list of NYSERDA programs. Tax credits and financing options also help reduce investment expenses.
There are local clean energy campaigns whose job it is to help individuals and businesses take on energy projects!
You can find your local Clean Heating and Cooling Community Campaign here!