Delhi Saves Funds Though Heat Pump

DELHI — The Village of Delhi has worked with the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) on a variety of projects, including heat pumps and Benchmarking, Community Campaigns, Energy Code Enforcement Training, LED Streetlights, Transportation and Landscaping, Unified Solar Permit.

Mayor Jeff Gearhart is a strong proponent of heat pumps. The municipality completed a Village Hall project several months ago. "We are supplementing the oil heat source," says Gearhart. Two NYSERDA grants totaling $20,000 covered the cost. "Eventually we hope that oil will become the backup heat source."

Trustee Janet Tweed has given a great deal of time and effort to this project,the Mayor notes. Ms. Tweed helped acquire the High Impact Action points that qualified the Village for the grant. In a demonstration of intermunicipal cooperation, she worked closely with Town Council Member and Climate Smart Communities Task Force Member Christina Viafore to earn the grant prerequisites.

Village Hall on Court Street is an older building and typical of many Upstate New York buildings. "You'd be surprised at how easily this (type of project) can be accomplished," says Mayor Gearhart. Village residents thought it was a terrific idea, he adds.

Today the Village is working to implement an additional $50,000 grant that will go toward an electric vehicle, electric lawn equipment and another heat pump unit.