As many readers may already know, Con Edison announced in January a moratorium on new natural gas customers for much of Westchester County to take effect in March, which was the subject of a public hearing in White Plains this week.  This moratorium does not cover the Village of Croton.

Although the Village of Croton is not affected by the current proposed moratorium, it is a stark reminder of the importance of conserving energy as the moratorium is driven by growing demand for natural gas in Westchester County.  Some simple energy saving tactics from Con Ed include:

1) Lower your thermostat-Each degree over 68°F can increase your energy usage by 3 percent.

2) Keep ducts and vents clean-Your heating system will run more efficiently, and it might last longer.

3) Swap out your shades seasonally-Light-colored window coverings reflect the sun’s energy, while darker ones absorb it and release heat.

4) Take showers instead of baths-Showers use half as much water as baths. Less hot water means less energy used.

In addition to these energy smart behaviors, I encourage property owners to consult with the nonprofit Energize Croton program.  The Energize Croton program is here to help you with everything from the initial application, picking a contractor and scheduling the home energy assessment to prioritizing energy upgrade measures and accessing financing options

Dozens of Croton residents have already made their homes more energy efficient with Energize.  A more energy efficient home can make your home more comfortable, make it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, save money on heating and cooling, increase the value of your home, and reduce your carbon footprint

For more information, please call (914) 302-7300, visit croton.energizeny.org or write to laurenb@energizeny.org

Brian Pugh, Mayor