White Plains Energy Affordability Campaign
Presented by Sustainable Westchester, the City of White Plains, the White Plains Sustainability Committee and sponsored by the NYSERDA and the Mid-Hudson Regional Clean Energy Hub.
From September 2026 to January 2027, Sustainable Westchester, along with its partners, will offer a home energy outreach community campaign focused on home energy efficiency, clean heating and cooling, community solar, rooftop solar and demand response in White Plains.
Heating and cooling energy expenditures are responsible for one-third of the carbon emissions in New York State. The programs offered to homeowners and renters a way for individuals and communities to improve local sustainability, save on heating and cooling costs, gain positive returns on investment with incentive programs and tax credits, and create a beneficial impact on air quality, family and public health, and the environment.
Which technologies will this campaign cover?
Homeowners and renters can offer energy advising support on clean heating and cooling technologies, as well as energy efficient building envelope improvements and heat pump water heaters, and solar, as detailed below:
- Cold-Climate Air Source Heat Pump systems (as defined by the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership), which can operate down to temperatures of five degrees Fahrenheit while also maintaining an efficiency factor of 1.75 or greater. These will include:
- Cold-Climate Air Source Heat Pump systems that distribute the heating and cooling output through an air duct distribution system.
- Ductless Mini-Split Cold-Climate Air Source Heat Pump systems that utilize the same two main components as central Cold-Climate Air Source Heat Pumps: an outdoor compressor / condenser and an indoor air-handling unit.
- Ground Source Heat Pump (geothermal) systems for space heating & cooling, and water heating. An indoor heat pump unit and a heat exchanging ground loop buried underground transfer heat between the ground and the building.
- Building Envelope Improvements: NYSERDA Programs (including Comfort Home and Empower) will address air sealing, insulation, and upgraded heating mechanicals through a comprehensive home energy assessment done by a certified contractor. These measures address tightening the building envelope with measures including, but not limited to, adding dense pack insulation, blown cellulose, and mechanical upgrades. These measures will ensure that the building envelope, distribution system, and existing heating and cooling systems are taken into account so that the CH&C technology is appropriately sized.
- Heat Pump Water Heaters: Water heating is typically the second-largest energy expense in a home; it can cost the average household approximately $400–$600 each year. Heat pump water heaters are up to three times more energy efficient than conventional electric resistance water heaters since they use electricity to move heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly. Properly maintaining a water heater and choosing high-efficiency equipment can help homeowners save energy, improve the comfort of their homes, and contribute to a cleaner environment.
- Solar: Solar is one of the cleanest forms of renewable energy. By switching to solar, homeowners can reduce carbon emissions and help New York fight climate change. Solar also reduces the presence of harmful air pollutants that may cause health problems.
- Community Solar: Community solar provides the benefits of clean energy without the need to install a solar system. The solar project injects energy into the grid on behalf of the subscriber. Each month participants receive a solar credit that provides monthly savings.
- Demand Response: The demand response app, GridRewards, offers tips to help lower energy consumption to maximize potential savings and earnings. Enrollees will be notified when energy usage is in high demand or at its peak in your area. By taking simple energy actions during peak times, participants earn cash rewards.
