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9/22/2009 - SENATOR VALESKY (D-ONEIDA) VISITS ECR FACILITY IN UTICANew Legislation makes ECR’s freewatt® home heating system eligible for New Metering in New York
Utica, N.Y. – September 22, 2009 – Senator David J. Valesky (D-Oneida) visited and toured the ECR International manufacturing facility in Utica, N.Y. to discuss legislation passed August 27, 2009 expanding New York State’s net metering law to include residential micro-combined heat and power (micro-CHP) technology, like ECR international’s freewatt home heating system. The newly signed legislation requires electric corporations to permit net energy metering for micro-CHP generating equipment and to provide for the interconnection of micro-CHP systems to the electric system in the same manner as other eligible technologies.
freewatt combines an ENERGY STAR-rated, high-efficiency natural gas furnace or boiler with a Honda co-generator to produce heat and electricity for homes. Unlike traditional home heating systems, freewatt can produce nearly 5,000 kilowatts of electricity each year.
Net metering enables customers to use the excess electricity they generate to offset their consumption over a specific billing period. Essentially, their electric meters will turn backward when they generate electricity in excess of their demand, resulting in a credit on their utility bill.
“The inclusion of micro-CHP as an eligible technology in New York State’s net metering law is extremely significant,” said Michael Paparone, president and CEO of ECR International. “Net metering will allow micro-CHP homeowners to offset the cost of electricity they purchase from a utility by selling any excess power they generate back to the utility. We estimate this will save them approximately $1,000 per year depending on their specific utility’s rates.”
The previous law permitted net energy metering for residential solar, farm waste, non-residential solar and residential and/or farm service wind electric generating systems. The amended law, which was signed into legislation by New York State Gov. Paterson on Aug. 27, also requires electric corporations to permit net energy metering for micro-CHP generating equipment and to provide for the interconnection of micro-CHP systems to the electric system in the same manner as other eligible technologies.
“Net metering for micro-CHP technologies, like freewatt, is now available in 16 states,” Paparone said. “This has occurred in less than three years, which signifies rapid acceptance of the technology. It also indicates that these states understand the importance of giving their residents as many energy-efficient choices as possible.”
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| 9/10/2009 - ECR International Announces Support of Revised New York State Net Metering LawResidential micro-combined heat and power technologies now eligible for net metering in New York
ECR International today announced its support of the legislation, signed into law Aug. 27 by Governor Paterson, which expands New York State''s current net metering law to include residential micro-combined heat and power (micro-CHP). Micro-CHP technologies, like ECR''s freewatt system, combine an ENERGY STAR-rated, high-efficiency natural gas or propane furnace or boiler with a Honda co-generator to produce heat and electricity for homes.
"The inclusion of micro-CHP as an eligible technology in New York State''s net metering law is extremely significant," said Michael Paparone, president and CEO of ECR International. "Net metering will allow micro-CHP homeowners to offset the cost of electricity they purchase from a utility by selling any excess power they generate back to the utility. We estimate this will save New York State homeowners approximately $1,000 per year."
The previous law permitted net energy metering for residential solar, farm waste, non-residential solar and residential and/or farm service wind electric generating systems. The amended law also requires electric corporations to permit net energy metering for micro-CHP generating equipment and to provide for the interconnection to the electric system of micro-CHP systems in the same manner as other eligible technologies.
"I am very pleased that this new law will encourage economic investment in skilled New York jobs, which includes our local residents who work at ECR International in Utica as well as those New Yorkers who work at the facility in Dunkirk," Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito (D/WF-Rome) explained. "ECR International has already invested $10 million in upgrading its Utica and Dunkirk facilities retaining and creating 35-40 jobs, with approximately another $5 million in planned further investments that will add 300 more jobs in the next few years as a result of the enactment of this very important measure."
The amended law takes effect immediately, but allows New York electric utilities three months to prepare for the appropriate changes. ECR International will be working with the utilities to help establish the procedures required to comply with the new law.
"New York State and its residents face significant energy and climate change challenges," said Sen. David Valesky, D-Oneida, who introduced the bill to the Senate on April 15, 2009. "Energy efficiency continues to be the most cost-effective and the most immediate way to reduce the burden of rising energy and environmental costs, as well as our energy-related carbon footprint."
Micro-CHP has been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as one of its 2009 Climate Choice technologies. According to the EPA, Climate Choice is a new partnership program that recognizes emerging technologies that have the potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions once they are more widely adopted. |
| 5/29/2009 - freewatt featured at Radiant Panel Association national showMembers of the Radiant Panel Association and REXperience show attendees toured ECR International’s Assembly facility as part of the RPA REXperience 2009. Tour participants were served breakfast and heard Mike Paparone, ECR’s CEO talk about a little about ECR’s history and more about their new vision. ECR is becoming the recognized leader of heating and air conditioning products and services that have the most positive impact on its environment, its society and its customers.
ECR’s tradeshow booth was set up with a showcase of their vast product line. Many ECR employees were on hand to meet RPA members and discuss any of the many products. Eric Dorozynski, plant manager, lead the group on a tour through the facility.
The tour finished with a presentation on freewatt®, ECR’s micro combined heat and power system. freewatt is an energy-efficient residential heating system that produces heat and electricity for homes, while lowering society’s fuel and energy consumption and protecting the environment. A freewatt system has the potential to generate half of a typical home’s annual electrical needs, saving homeowners hundreds of dollars on electric bills.
ECR was excited that the RPA chose Utica for their annual conference this year as it allowed them to be able to showcase their facility, products and people.
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| 3/4/2009 - Congressman Arcuri Explores micro-CHP Technology During Visit to ECR Facility in UticaUtica, N.Y. – Congressman Michael Arcuri (NY-24) visited ECR International’s headquarters in Utica, N.Y., late last week to tour the facility and meet with the ECR leadership team regarding the company’s micro-combined heat and power (micro-CHP) technology, the freewatt® home heating system.
With a focus on maximizing the use of fuel energy, micro-CHP technology combines heat and power with its dual approach of generating electricity while heating a home.
“The electricity produced through micro-CHP technology can be used to power the home or can be sold back to the ‘grid,’” said Michael Paparone, ECR International president and CEO. “micro-CHP also provides grid support and reliability to electric power systems that are already approaching peak capacity and can also help electric utilities meet emission reduction mandates.”
micro-CHP has been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as one of two technologies designated as a Climate Choice technology. According to the EPA, Climate Choice is a new partnership program that recognizes emerging technologies that have the potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions once they are more widely adopted. For more information on Climate Choice, visit http://www.epa.gov/cppd/climatechoice/technology.htm
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| 2/25/2009 - Congressman Higgins Visits ECRCongressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) visited the ECR International manufacturing facility in Dunkirk, N.Y., as one stop on his tour of area companies who offer renewable and energy-efficient technologies.
Higgins toured the ECR facility and visited with ECR''s leadership team to discuss the company''s micro-combined heat and power (micro-CHP) technology, the freewatt® home heating system. With a focus on maximizing fuel energy, micro-CHP technology combines heat and power in its dual approach of generating electricity while heating a home.
"With the ability to supply both heat and power to U.S. homes, micro-CHP significantly reduces the amount of fuel normally needed for a home, which directly and dramatically impacts the environment by reducing the greenhouse gases associated with global warming," said Michael Paparone, president and CEO of ECR International.
micro-CHP has been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as one of two technologies designated as a Climate Choice technology. According to the EPA, Climate Choice is a new partnership program that recognizes emerging technologies that have the potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions once they are more widely adopted. For more information on Climate Choice, visit http://www.epa.gov/cppd/climatechoice/technology.htm
ECR will continue to discuss the benefits of micro-CHP technology when Congressman Michael Arcuri (NY-24) visits the ECR facility in Utica, N.Y., on Friday, Feb. 27. Arcuri will arrive at approximately 2 p.m., and will tour the facility and meet with ECR leaders to discuss the energy-efficient technology and how it can impact the state of New York and the entire nation.
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| 1/29/2009 - ECR Introduces freewatt® Home Heating SystemThe future of home energy has arrived with the freewatt® home heating system. Manufactured by ECR, freewatt is the green alternative in home heating, allowing homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing comfort.
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| 1/29/2009 - freewatt® Fact Sheetfreewatt® is the green alternative in home heating, allowing homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing comfort.
Click here to view PDF |
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