Syracuse joined national day to highlight benefits of energy efficiency, encourage actions
Syracuse, NY. On October 6, 2021 the City of Syracuse joined more than forty communities nationwide in designating the first Wednesday in October as annual Energy Efficiency Day. Mayor Ben Walsh issued a proclamation highlighting the benefits of energy efficiency and encouraging residents and business owners to connect with energy efficiency and weatherization improvement programs available through local campaigns such as HeatSmart CNY and organizations such as Alliance for a Green Economy, the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board, 
Cornell Cooperative Extension, and P.E.A.C.E., Inc.
October is National Energy Awareness Month. Energy Efficiency Day provides a great opportunity to launch the conversation in our community about making homes and businesses more energy efficient.
When buildings are more efficient, they require less energy, thus reducing pollution and impacts from energy generation on our environment, our health, and our wallets. Energy efficiency also generates skilled, well paying jobs and apprenticeships. Ranging from professional services to manufacturing, installation, and construction, these good jobs are local and cannot be outsourced, leading to a major boost for local economies. Local heat pump and insulation companies are frequently hiring new people to keep up with growing demand.
“Our heat pump and added insulation have made our home very efficient,” said Amanda Mazzoni, Principal Planner at the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board (CNYRPDB) and a homeowner who felt and measured the cost and comfort improvements after adding insulation to her home. “We are now both more comfortable AND are using less energy to heat and cool our home! Energy efficiency really works.”
“Energy efficiency is the quickest, cleanest, and least expensive way to meet our energy needs in the city and across the state. The least expensive energy is the energy you don’t use at all. Energy efficiency is a key to meeting our state greenhouse gas reduction goals and phasing out dirty energy. The less energy needed, the faster we can switch from fossil fuel and nuclear sources to renewable energy for powering our economy,” said Andra Leimanis, Communications and Outreach Director at Alliance for a Green Economy.
“The Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board is proud to work with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and our local partners to bring the HeatSmart CNY program to Syracuse and Central New York,” said Chris Carrick, Energy Manager at the CNYRPDB. “This educational program connects homeowners, renters, businesses and municipalities to reputable contractors who can improve the energy efficiency of residential and commercial buildings and move these buildings to reduce or eliminate the need for fossil fuels like natural gas, oil, and propane for heating and cooling. Making the switch to heat pumps can save money, reduce indoor air pollution like carbon monoxide that harms our health, and improve our comfort all year round.”
“Cornell Cooperative Extension Onondaga has a long history of providing programs to our local community that improve the economic security and quality of life of residents,” said Thomas Cross, Natural Resources Team Leader at CCE of Onondaga County. “With our Smart Energy Choices program, we work not only to educate income eligible residents on the benefits of more efficient and renewable energy technologies, but to also save homeowners money that can be used for other needs. For more information go to cceonondaga.org and click on our energy tab.”
To learn more about local energy efficiency efforts, visit these local organizations’ websites, or join the social media conversation using #EEDay2021 and follow us @AGREENewYork.
photo credit: suncommon
