Film: A Heatty Whatty?
Your Appliances Will Die—Don't Panic, Plan Ahead
Appliances don’t die when it’s convenient.
They die on Christmas morning, during Thanksgiving dinner, on the hottest day or coldest night of the year.
And let’s face it: talking about appliances can be, well, boring. But being prepared for their eventual expiration can save a lot of stress—and money.
Introducing Bedford 2030’s debut short film:
A HEATTY WHATTY?
LIFE AFTER FOSSIL FUELS
Roadmap: Your Life After Fossil Fuels
- Watch the Film—a comedic look at the “death” of a boiler and the joys of a fossil-free future
- Talk to an Expert—our free Energy Coach is here to help you skip the grief and get straight to the savings
- Make the Switch—see why it’s time to leave your HVAC system and hot water heater in the pa
Talk to an Expert
Bedford 2030 Energy Coach
Ditching fossil fuels can be a daunting task. Luckily, we’ve got a guy for that.
For Vespera and Thaddeus, their guide was the heat-pump-loving and sourdough-snacking Reverend. For you, it’s Bob Fischman, Bedford 2030’s Complimentary Energy Coach.
Bob will meet with you on Zoom to show you how you can avoid appliance drama—and save big—by ditching oil and switching to green energy at home. With federal incentives rapidly disappearing, it’s time to take action. Meet with Bob, FOR FREE, today.
It's Like Estate Planning... For Your Appliances!
The Future—Air- & Ground-Source Heat Pumps
50% of local greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings, mainly from the fossil fuels we use to heat and cool them. Ditch the emissions by switching to air-source or ground-source (geothermal) heat pumps.
The savings:
- ROI on an average heat pump in NYS: less than 5 years
- Heat pump savings: $1,500/year
The Future—Heat Pump Water Heaters
Heat pump water heaters are 2-3 times more efficient than fossil-fuel-powered water heaters. They also have larger tank capacity, so you can lounge in the shower guilt-free. They can be installed with a heat pump or combined with standard HVAC systems.
The savings:
- Compared to fossil-fueled water heater: 70% less energy
- Heat pump water heater savings: $550/year
The Making of "A Heatty Whatty?"
At Bedford 2030, we spend a lot of time talking about home energy efficiency—which, let’s be honest, doesn’t usually get people jumping out of their seats. Especially when it comes to planning for the end of your appliances’ lives. Important? Yes. Exciting? Not exactly.
We decided to break the status quo, and thus A Heatty Whatty?—Life After Fossil Fuels was born.
Inspired by the genius of works like Six Feet Under and Schitt’s Creek, our film follows one zany family’s journey as they say goodbye to their dearly departed boiler (who they realize wasn’t that great after all). Thanks to the help of a patient and sourdough-loving Reverend, they find something unexpectedly wonderful: heat pumps. The Blackwoods discover that saying goodbye to fossil-fueled heating can be good for the planet and their wallets.
We made this film to bring a little clarity—and a lot of fun—to a topic most people avoid until it’s too late. Behind the scenes, we were laughing, learning, and realizing just how much joy there can be in making change.
This project was supported by an incredible team. Special thanks go to the Bedford 2030 board members and staff (including Olivia Hamelin and intern Dakota Cameron for their assistance on set).
Oh, and the heat pump song? The cast just started singing—no prep, no plan, just heat pump joy.
Credits
Written, Directed, and Produced by: Harmony Dixon and Grace Gilmore
Megan Ort as Vespera Blackwood
Joe DePietro as Thaddeus Blackwood
Bruce Sabath as The Reverend
Michael Kelly as Himself
Francisco Lafontaine: Director of Photography
Ruchit Negotia: Editor and Assistant Camera
Logan McDonald: Grip/Gaffer
Sam Bougon: Production Assistant
Eamon Redpath: Location Sound Mixer
Vanessa Smith: Creative Consultant
Original Music by Michael Minard