Millerton Climate Smart to promote heat pumps

MILLERTON — Climate Smart Community (CSC) is launching a community campaign July 13, at the Summer Stroll on Main Street to inform residents about the benefits of electric heat pumps.

Climate Smart is a New York state program that helps local governments limit their carbon-footprint and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.

North East and Millerton are each Climate Smart Communities.

During the Summer Stroll, Climate Smart will conduct a campaign about electric heat pumps.

Heat pumps have the lowest known emission of any heating source. They are able to heat and cool buildings more efficiently than propane, oil or other traditional systems. The pumps also do not emit carbon monoxide, making the surrounding areas healthier to the public.

In 2018, the Town of North East and the Village of Millerton signed a pledge to develop ideas to improve sustainability with CSC. The Town of North East was certified a Bronze town in 2022, meaning it has collected over 120 points by taking action to implement climate-smart projects.

Last August, the Amenia Town Hall celebrated nine installments for new heat pumps, which was a significant step towards renewable energy.

Climate Smart has a goal of at least 5 installations in Millerton, which will then earn the town $5,000. Installing these new heat pumps will not only give incentives to the town, but also to the residents.

“Award money comes from taxes on everybody’s electric bills, so it’s not something the state has to allocate…,” said Kathy Chow of the Climate Smart Community Task Force. Chow addressed the North East Town Board on Thursday, June 13.

CSC is trying to educate owners of buildings about electric heat pumps and the importance of a greener community.