Confusing Heating Solutions Made Easier Through Community Effort
A Failing Oil Tank
“We’re not struggling, but replacing an oil tank at $4,000 is huge for us,” remarked Sindy, an Andover resident who faced cooling temperatures this fall without a working heating system.
“There are individual needs. People shouldn’t have to be struggling with not having heat just because they have an Andover address.”
Getting ready for the winter heating season, Sindy’s oil tank was deemed unsafe by the oil company, which estimated a cost of somewhere between $3,000 and $4,500 to replace the tank before fuel could be re-delivered. Not knowing where to go for assistance, Sindy turned to Andover Community Trust’s (ACT’s) executive director, Denise Johnson and asked if she knew of any programs that could help. That conversation led to a network of connections including a suggestion to replace their heating system with an energy-efficient heat pump.
Many Connections Made
Andover’s Sustainability Coordinator Joyce Losick-Yang and Anil Navkal Andover Green Advisory board member were key to helping Denise and Sindy identify and contact various agencies. The Greater Lawrence Community Action Council (GLCAC) was established to help in situations like these, encouraging and promoting the improvement of community life in Greater Lawrence in everything from education, social service and child care to housing and health. Through their work GLCAC provides assistance from state and federal funding agencies to needs in low- to moderate-income households. In addition, MassSave has two income-eligible programs for no-cost or discounted energy efficiency services. However, navigating the route from connecting with GLCAC and MassSave to getting a heat pump installed was a challenge. And the individuals Sindy reached out to at GLCAC and MassSave didn’t have much experience with heat pumps.
“There are individual needs. People shouldn’t have to be struggling with not having heat just because they have an Andover address,” observed Sindy.
ACT Sustainability Committee Formed
Andover Community Trust recently created a Sustainability Committee to focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in ACT homes through designing new homes that are as low-emissions as possible and connecting homeowners like Sindy, with potential funding sources to replace appliances with more efficient, electric alternatives and consider solar or other renewable energy sources.
“Sometimes energy-efficiency programs are confusing or don’t seem to include Andover residents, but there are a lot of people right here in our community that can benefit,” shared Denise, “We hope that our Sustainability Committee can help make these connections easier.”
Heat Pump Installed
Through another recommendation Sindy and her husband connected with a heat pump installer and with Denise’s help the three of them connected all of the pieces from assessing the heat pump needs to ensuring the new system would be paid for through MassSave’s Income Eligible Program.
“Fortunately it was a warmish fall. We were bundled and trying to use as little heat as we could,” shared Sindy as the family waited for all of the pieces to come together. The home already had forced hot air heating, which made the installation of an air-source heat pump possible.
The installer took 3 days to check all the duct work, set up the new air-source heat pump and restore heat to the household, and Sindy said they were excellent to work with and that the new heat pump is working well so far. As an added bonus she is excited that it will also function as an air conditioner in the summer. She anticipates that while her electric bill will go up this winter, it will be a smaller increase than the $300 or so she was spending on fuel oil every month last winter and she is happy that her family is supporting the sustainability efforts of Andover.
Sustainability Updates for Your Affordable Home
Joyce Losick-Yang has virtual community office hours every Friday to answer your sustainability questions and help connect you with the resources you need. You can contact Joyce through Andover’s town website.
You can also check if you qualify for MassSave’s Income Eligible programs that provide replacement of heating systems, installation of additional insulation and other energy saving measures at the MassSave website. And learn more about how you can electrify your life to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions in your home and transportation through AndoverWECAN.org.
