We are part of the North Country Clean Energy Hub, a NYSERDA-funded initiative that helps residents, small businesses, and communities across Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, Essex, and Hamilton Counties access clean energy opportunities.
In partnership with SUNY Canton CREST, the Adirondack North Country Association, and CCE St. Lawrence County, we provide education, outreach, and one-on-one support. Our Community Energy Advisors work directly with community members, with a focus on serving low and moderate income households, to offer guidance on energy efficiency upgrades, clean energy programs like EmPower+, available rebates, financing options, and workforce opportunities.
Advisors are here to help you navigate NYSERDA programs, connect with local contractors, and overcome any barriers to clean energy access.
Energy Advisors
Serving Jefferson, Lewis, Hamilton, Essex, Clinton, Franklin & St. Lawrence Counties.
Contact Us
Carson Schweinsberg
Jefferson County Energy Advisor
tar234 [at] cornell.edu (cns68[at]cornell[dot]edu)
315-816-8677
Katelyn LaRose
Clean Energy Program Manager
tar234 [at] cornell.edu (kl927[at]cornell[dot]edu)
315-788-8450 ext. 268
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy comes from natural sources that are constantly replenished, such as sunlight, wind, water, and organic materials. These clean energy options reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support energy independence, and offer sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. If you are interested in renewable energy opportunities, visit NYSERDA or call 1-866-NYSERDA.
Explore the examples below to learn more about different types of renewable energy and how they work.
Air Source Heat Pumps
Air source heat pumps move heat from outside to inside your home using a refrigerant that absorbs and releases heat as it cycles between liquid and gas. In warmer months, the process reverses to cool your home. For houses without ductwork, mini-split systems offer an efficient alternative, typically using wall-mounted units to circulate warm or cool air.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Geothermal heat pumps, also called ground- or water-source systems, use the stable temperature of the ground or nearby water to heat and cool your home. Though installation costs can be higher than air source systems, they’re quieter, longer-lasting, and more efficient year-round. They work by circulating fluid through underground pipes to absorb or release heat, which is then transferred through a heat pump and distributed via ductwork.
Heat Pump Water Heaters
Water heating is the second-largest energy expense in most homes, but heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) offer a highly efficient alternative, using two to three times less energy than traditional electric or gas models. Like a refrigerator in reverse, an HPWH pulls heat from the surrounding air, transfers it to a refrigerant, and uses a compressor to heat water inside the tank. Most are hybrid systems, with backup electric coils for times of high demand. As a bonus, HPWHs also cool and dehumidify the space they’re in.
Heating with Wood
When used properly, wood is an efficient and renewable fuel source. It has many advantages compared to other heating sources. It is renewable, locally sourced in most areas, inexpensive, and safe to store and transport. When comparing different sources, it is important to think about what is being heated. An important question to consider is, can you reduce the heat needed to warm the building? The less fuel used, of any kind, the more savings you get in return.
High-efficiency, EPA-certified wood stoves burn cleaner and make the most of this resource. In much of New York State, wood is locally sourced, supporting the regional economy and reducing transportation impacts. With proper harvesting and storage, cordwood can be kept for years without degrading or harming the environment. Unlike fossil fuels, burning wood releases carbon already in the natural carbon cycle, making it a more sustainable heating option.
Modern, fully automated pellet stoves offer high efficiency and low emissions, often outperforming traditional wood stoves. They can be automatically fed from large storage containers, providing a continuous fuel supply and convenience comparable to fossil fuel systems.
Solar energy comes from the sun and can be converted into electricity or heat. Photovoltaic (PV) panels generate electricity, while solar thermal panels capture heat for domestic hot water and sometimes space heating.
Sunlight is an abundant, renewable resource, delivering far more energy to Earth’s surface in just 90 minutes than the world uses in a year. Unlike fossil fuels, solar energy produces no noise, pollution, or carbon emissions. While manufacturing solar systems involves some environmental impact, solar remains a vital tool in reducing greenhouse gases and combating climate change.
Installing a solar panel system can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, decrease reliance on fluctuating fossil fuel prices, save money long-term, and increase your property’s value. For businesses, solar may offer marketing and public relations benefits.
Wind energy is generated by the movement of air caused by the sun’s uneven heating, the Earth’s rotation, and surface features. Wind turbines capture this energy using blades that turn a generator to produce electricity.
Installing a wind turbine can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease reliance on fossil fuels, save money long-term, and may offer marketing benefits for businesses. Wind turbines often complement solar panels, providing renewable energy at night when solar is inactive, helping meet 100% of energy needs.