Homeowners Rachel and Greg had a recurring concern: rising energy bills, unpredictable monthly costs, and the impact of relying on gas and electric utilities. After a positive experience installing a heat pump in 2021, they decided to explore additional upgrades that could make their home more efficient—and more self-sustaining.

Realtor Patrick DiCiaccio had a vision when he purchased a small, three unit, apartment home on Garson Ave, in the South Marketview Heights neighborhood, an area he loves. This was his first property investment venture and role as a landlord, and as a jack of all trades he didn’t mind something that needed some work. He playfully calls the location Lady Garson, highlighting both the character of the house and the heart Patrick has for restoring its beauty.

Heidi, a recent retiree, chose Rochester for a fresh start away from the hustle and bustle. A climate advocate, Heidi decided early on that she wanted to create meaningful change not just in a broad sense but also in her own life. She moved into a historic home built in 1880, filled with charm but in need of upgrades. With a gas furnace and no insulation, Heidi was motivated to connect with an Energy Advisor and learned there were a number of incentives available to her for home energy upgrades.

Katie and her family settled into Rochester from California eight years ago. With two young girls, they were distressed after reading the 2018 report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).  The report warned that, without significant reductions in emissions, the world could face more severe floods, droughts, fires, and other climate disasters by 2040. Their children would be in their early 20s, just beginning adulthood, and Katie and her husband wondered what kind of life that would be for them.

Lifelong Penfield resident, Al Hibner, called it “four heat pumps and a promise.” Al recognized the environmental benefits and cost savings of transitioning to a home free of fossil fuels, and he embarked on this journey toward decarbonization step by step. Recently retired, Al and his wife were initially concerned about maintaining comfort, but they were encouraged to discover that energy-efficient solutions like heat pumps allowed them to reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing quality of life.