Heat Smart Expands to Chicago
- January 7, 2015
- Heat Smart
For immediate release
For more information contact: Donna Montaquila, Executive Director, Heat Smart 401.481.8107, donna@northwestwoolen.com
Heat Smart Expands to Chicago
WOONSOCKET, RI – January 7, 2015 – Heat Smart, a national energy efficiency program headquartered in Rhode Island, announced today they’ll be participating in the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance 2015 Midwest Energy Solutions Conference in Chicago January on 28-30.
The conference gathers energy stakeholders and is geared to reinforce the importance of energy efficiency in the Midwest while capitalizing on shared opportunities. As an energy efficiency program, Heat Smart offers an opportunity for utility stakeholders to meet federal mandates and spend assistance program resources cost-effectively.
“We’re eager to participate and really looking forward to getting the word out about our program,” said Donna Montaquila, Executive Director. “We have some exciting news to share about our pilot program and we hope more utilities will consider partnering with us to help keep low income families warm.”
The pilot program lasts through the winter and is being run in conjunction with Duke Energy, the North Carolina Community Action Association, and I-Care, a community action agency in Statesville, NC. Heat Smart Kits were distributed to a group of North Carolina low income families to give them the tools they need to stay warm and encourage lower thermostat settings at the same time. The kits include a quality wool blend blanket, weatherstripping, and energy savings tips, a three-pronged approach of warmth, conservation, and education that has shown success in its initial rollout.
The hoped-for result is reduced energy demand and a lower heating bill – an average of $200 annually. Duke and Heat Smart will be compiling energy and dollar savings results at the end of the winter. The U.S. Energy Information Agency estimates turning the heat down by just seven to eight degrees can take ten percent off an annual heating bill.
“We’re also aiming to change behavior to achieve sustained energy savings,” Montaquila explained. “It’s an initiative that I think a lot of utility programs could really get behind to help boost their own community programs.”
Heat Smart will be on the conference floor in booth # __x__. More information about the conference can be found at mwalliance.org/conference.
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. 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.