On Wednesday, December 4, the Town of Acton Sustainability Office, in collaboration with Energize Acton, hosted a Heat Pump Pizza Party in Room 204 of Acton Town Hall to educate residents about the benefits of heat pumps as a sustainable alternative for home heating and cooling. (Yes, heat pumps do both!)
The event drew approximately 130 participants, including State Senator Jamie Eldridge and State Representative Dan Sena, who joined residents eager to learn about heat pumps. The event featured presentations from David Martin, one of Acton’s Clean Energy Coaching Program coaches, and Kit Wu of the Laminar Collective, a group working on open research and development of bulk deals for heat pump installations.
The speakers provided information on how heat pumps work, the process of retrofitting/conversion from older technologies (oil, gas, propane, electric resistance) to heat pump systems, and the various incentives and pricing options available. Heat pumps — whether installed as whole-house systems, or in a partial or phased approach — are far more efficient than fossil-fueled (gas, oil, or propane) systems, can help lower utility bills, and yield significant reductions in the greenhouse gas emissions associated with home heating.
The Town had sent letters to Acton homeowners who heat with those older technologies mentioned above, encouraging residents to explore heat pump systems as efficient, environmentally friendly options. Many of the attendees were those currently heating with oil; most had learned about the event from those direct mailings. Room 204 was filled with engaged attendees so that it eventually became a standing room only event; most stayed through the entire session, and many took advantage of the Q&A segment after the presentations.
The Town of Acton’s free Clean Energy Coaching (CEC) Program provides information and ongoing consultation and support on the transition to heat pump systems as well as on other clean energy options, such as solar, electric vehicles, insulation, and more. The program operates out of the Town’s Sustainability Office by its two staff members, 12 trained volunteer coaches, and a small team of CEC Advocates.
Sustainability Director Andrea Becerra, the speakers, and several CEC coaches were on hand at the Heat Pump Pizza Party to speak with residents, answer questions about their heating and cooling needs, and offer guidance on adopting energy-efficient technologies. Since the program’s launch in 2023, more than 240 residents have reached out to the Clean Energy Coaching Program, primarily seeking advice on heat pumps, with additional inquiries about solar energy, energy efficiency audits, and electric vehicles.
Acton residents and businesses are encouraged to learn more about the Clean Energy Coaching program here, and to visit ActonEnergyCoach.com to sign up for personalized coaching support. For more information on the program or other sustainability matters, people may contact the Sustainability Office at sustainability@actonma.gov or 978.929.6515, and view its website.
Debra Simes is a member of Acton’s Clean Energy Coaching Program volunteer Advocate team.