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Heat Smart Shares Results with Energy Industry
- May 29, 2015
- Heat Smart
Heat Smart Shares Results with Energy Industry
WOONSOCKET, RI – June 4, 2015 – The electric industry’s premiere trade association, the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), will be holding their Annual Convention June 7-10. The convention draws thousands of electric utility professionals and showcases the industry’s latest innovations. Heat Smart, the innovative national energy efficiency program, will be attending to share exciting preliminary results from their winter pilot program. Conducted from December 15 through March 30 with North Carolina low-income families who use electric heat, the pilot program asked participants to turn the heat down at night and use Heat Smart kits to stay warm.
Energy usage data is still being analyzed, but behavior survey results show the number of respondents who set their thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees increased from 29% to 78%, despite the harsh 2014-15 winter weather North Carolina experienced.
“Even though all the numbers haven’t been crunched yet, we’re feeling positive. The behavior surveys tell us our efforts to change energy-consuming behavior worked,” said Donna Montaquila, Executive Director. “It also demonstrates that Heat Smart is an effective partner for utility companies and community assistance agencies who need proven programs to meet federal conservation mandates and spend assistance dollars for maximum impact.”
The low-cost program was conducted in partnership with Duke Energy, the North Carolina Community Action Association, and others. Heat Smart seeks to partner with others to reach more low income families.
“EEI promises to be an interesting gathering. They make a positive contribution to the electric power industry in its vital mission to provide electricity that fosters economic progress and improves the quality of life. Heat Smart can help with a part of that mission, in their outreach to improve the quality of life for low income families. I’m hoping to share that message, and the preliminary pilot program results, at EEI and show energy professionals what Heat Smart can do for utility companies.”
About Heat Smart
Headquartered in Woonsocket, RI, Heat Smart’s mission is to distribute quality, low-cost blankets, weatherstripping and educational materials to low income households in an effort to help them save money and reduce overall energy use. Their energy efficiency program has already made a big difference to over 500,000 households in 25 states. They are committed to fostering and developing additional successful partnerships with local Community Action Programs and Energy/Utility companies across the country as a cost-effective and efficient channel to distribute Heat Smart kits. More information can be found at: www.heatsmart.net.
For immediate release
For more information contact:
Donna Montaquila, Executive Director, Heat Smart
401.481.8107, donna@northwestwoolen.com
Pilot Program Surveys Return Positive Results
- May 27, 2015
- Heat Smart
For immediate release
For more information contact: Donna Montaquila, Executive Director, Heat Smart
401.481.8107, donna@northwestwoolen.com
Pilot Program Surveys Return Positive Results
WOONSOCKET, RI – May 13, 2015 – Heat Smart, a national energy efficiency program, today announced preliminary results from their winter pilot program. Conducted from December 15 through March 30, Heat Smart distributed their kits to low-income families with electric heat in four North Carolina neighborhoods, asking them to turn the heat down at night and use the Heat Smart kits to stay warm. Participants filled out surveys both pre- and post-pilot to measure attitudes and behavior. As of 5/13/15, a majority of the surveys have been returned, and they reveal:
- 95% reported turning their heat down at night, an increase of 24%.
- Respondents reported an average turndown of 7.9 degrees, compared to 4.7 degrees before the pilot.
- 41% reported an increased knowledge of energy saving tactics.
- 96% indicated they would continue to use the kit and keep the heat down at night.
“These results demonstrate that empowering people with the right tools works,” said Donna Montaquila, Executive Director. “Comparing behaviors before and after the pilot, more people turned their heat down by more degrees. We know that turning the heat down 7 to 8 degrees can save 10% on a family’s energy bill, and as reported by the participants, our approach achieved the behavior change needed to set heat assistance strategies going forward.”
Innovative in approach, the Heat Smart kit includes a warm woolen blanket, weatherstripping, and energy saving tips.
“It’s a simple idea with the potential for huge impact,” Montaquila explained. “Each kit costs just $12, quite a return on investment when you consider one kit could help a family save nearly $200 on their heating bill – every year.”
The pilot program was conducted in collaboration with Duke Energy, the North Carolina Community Action Association, and I-Care, a community action agency in Statesville, NC. A control group was overseen by Advanced Energy to ensure statistical accuracy. Duke and Advanced Energy are currently compiling statistics on kilowatts and dollars saved. Heat Smart will release those results as soon as they are available.
“I am looking forward to the statistics but based on the participant feedback, I feel strongly that the program is moving in the right direction. It’s already helped thousands of families since we launched in 2005. I’m hoping this new data will help us expand,” Montaquila said.
About Heat Smart
Headquartered in Woonsocket, RI, Heat Smart’s mission is to distribute quality, low-cost blankets, weatherstripping and educational materials to low income households in an effort to help them save money and reduce overall energy use. Their energy efficiency program has already made a big difference to over 500,000 households in 25 states. They are committed to fostering and developing additional successful partnerships with local Community Action Programs and Energy/Utility companies across the country as a cost-effective and efficient channel to distribute Heat Smart kits. More information can be found at: www.heatsmart.net.
Heat Smart Expanding Tribal Partnerships
- February 18, 2015
- Heat Smart
For immediate release
For more information contact: Donna Montaquila, Executive Director, Heat Smart 401.481.8107, donna@northwestwoolen.com
Heat Smart Expanding Tribal Partnerships
WOONSOCKET, RI – February 18, 2015 – In an effort to reach ever more low-income families with their energy-saving program, Heat Smart is participating in the Reservation Economic Summit hosted by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development in March. To be held in Las Vegas, the conference offers unparalleled access to respected tribal leaders, members of congress, federal agency representatives, state and local elected officials and top CEOs on both a regional and national platform. This major event draws thousands of participants and provides an opportunity to network as well as showcase products and services to Native American businesses around the country.
“The best way we can help tribes is by introducing them to our low-cost program that helps low income families keep warm while helping them save on their energy bill,” said Donna Montaquila, Executive Director of the national energy efficiency program. “Our program might also help tribes qualify for federal heat assistance dollars.”
Heat Smart has already brought their program to Alaskan tribes and helped thousands of families. Working with the Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority and the Central Council Tlingit-Haida Regional Indian Tribes in 2013, they shipped 5000 wool blankets to help keep low-income tribal members in remote locations warm through tough winters.
In addition to the blankets, the Heat Smart kit includes weatherstripping and energy saving tips to create a three-pronged approach of warmth, conservaiton and education. They work with community assistance programs, utilities and government agencies across the country to distribute kits to low income families, and hope to introduce more tribes to their program at RES. Using Heat Smart Kits can also help tribes meet their community outreach goals.
“I’m also looking forward to hearing from Department of Energy program leaders at the Energy Forum on Wednesday afternoon,” Montaquila said. “Tribes face challenges when trying to compete for federal programs and keeping up with reporting requirements. With all of us working together, we can make a real difference in the lives of low-income families. Heat Smart can be a big part of the solution and RES is the perfect place to bring all stakeholders together.”
Typically, low income households without adequate bedding had a choice of either shivering all night or turning the heat up. With Heat Smart blankets, they can stay warm and comfortable while still saving on their energy bill. Turning the heat down by just seven to eight degrees can take ten percent off a heating bill, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) statistics.
About Heat Smart
Headquartered in Woonsocket, RI, Heat Smart’s mission is to distribute quality, low-cost blankets, weatherstripping and educational materials to low income households in an effort to help them save money and reduce overall energy use. Their energy efficiency program has already made a big difference to over 500,000 households in 25 states. They are committed to fostering and developing additional successful partnerships with local Community Action Programs and Energy/Utility companies across the country as a cost-effective and efficient channel to distribute Heat Smart kits. More information can be found at: www.heatsmart.net.
Heat Smart Applauds AESP Anniversary Celebration
- February 2, 2015
- Heat Smart
For immediate release
For more information contact: Donna Montaquila, Executive Director, Heat Smart 401.481.8107, donna@northwestwoolen.com
Heat Smart Applauds AESP Anniversary Celebration
WOONSOCKET, RI – February 2, 2014 – Heat Smart will be joining The Association of Energy Professionals (AESP) at their 2015 National Conference & Expo in February to help celebrate the industry icon’s 25th anniversary. The conference features a unique gathering of energy industry thought leaders; and exhibitors in the Expo Hall will display the latest technologies and trends in energy efficiency.
“We’re excited to help them celebrate. As a long-term member, we always look forward to this Expo for thought-provoking sessions and great idea sharing,” said Donna Montaquila, Executive Director of the national energy efficiency program.
As an exhibitor, Heat Smart will be sharing ideas as well, giving utilities, community agencies and energy programs actionable strategies and proven approaches that can deliver measurable results. Heat Smart focuses on residential heat energy savings, partnering with other organizations to help low-income families reduce heat demand and save energy.
A key Heat Smart goal is behavior change to achieve sustained energy savings; attained by giving families the tools they need to stay warm while turning the heat down. At the Expo, they will have samples of the kits they distribute with their partners to low-income families.
“I’m really looking forward to exchanging ideas at the new ‘Behavior Change and Energy Efficiency Programs’ pre-conference training course,” Montaquila said. “Heat Smart can really help a lot of utilities and agencies on this front.”
Also at this conference, the industry as a whole will be looking back on past programs to apply lessons learned to future plans.
“We feel confident Heat Smart is a clear part of the future as we anticipate the real-world impact of energy change on everyday people. We’re especially excited that on this silver anniversary, we’re working to save families some serious silver – an average of $200 per year, adding up to thousands over the life of a $12 investment,” Montaquila explained.
Heat Smart will be on the Expo floor in booth # 604. More information about the conference can be found at aesp.org/events.
About Heat Smart
Headquartered in Woonsocket, RI, Heat Smart’s mission is to distribute quality, low-cost blankets, weatherstripping and educational materials to low income households in an effort to help them save money and reduce overall energy use. Their energy efficiency program has already made a big difference to over 500,000 households in 25 states. They are committed to fostering and developing additional successful partnerships with local Community Action Programs and Energy/Utility companies across the country as a cost-effective and efficient channel to distribute Heat Smart kits. More information can be found at: www.heatsmart.net.