Making Dreams a Reality in the South Wedge

Photos by Lauren Petracca

Big City Dreams Come True in the South Wedge

Heidi, a recent retiree, chose Rochester for a fresh start away from the hustle and bustle. A climate advocate, Heidi decided early on that she wanted to create meaningful change not just in a broad sense but also in her own life. She moved into a historic home built in 1880, filled with charm but in need of upgrades. With a gas furnace and no insulation, Heidi was motivated to connect with an Energy Advisor and learned there were a number of incentives available to her for home energy upgrades. 

She began a free home energy assessment that identified what could be done within the home and was connected with a reputable contractor as well as a loan with no payments for a year. This allowed Heidi to insulate the full house as well as remove the gas furnace to replace it with an efficient heat pump that reduced energy cost as well as improved air quality [insert photo of heat pump in basement]. There are also low interest loans available to those who qualify. 

The entire upgrade process was completed in just a few days with minimal disruption [insert photo of insulated attic space]. “They did it all,” Heidi said. “I didn’t have to do anything except open the door.” With health concerns about her gas stove, she also had that removed and replaced with an electric induction cooktop. She is proud to be 100% gas free with the charge no longer on her bill. She was also pleased with the ease of use and comfortability of the heat pump, which has not impacted her lifestyle, and will receive a tax credit for the installation. “Overall the process was simple and I’m so happy that I did it.”

Project Highlights

Project Overview

  • Heat pump installation

  • Weatherization of attic and walls

  • Removal of gas stove

Financial Incentives

  • Over $8,000 in rebates for the insulation and heat pump combined 

Project team

  • AMPED Energy Advisor

  • WISE Home Energy (contractor)

Highlights

  • Cost savings, health benefits, accessible, living values towards environmental sustainability (intends to install solar in the future, one step at a time)

The Bottom Line

In the midst of a move, retiree and Rochester fan Heidi found support and assistance from an AMPED Energy Advisor to upgrade her new home to be more energy efficient and a healthier living environment. The process was smooth and cost effective, and Heidi plans to continue the journey with more improvements to move towards a regenerative future.