By George de Menil and David Congdon
September 27, 2025
Two homes of year-round Fishers Island residents were recently equipped with heat pumps, each of which will heat (or cool) several rooms and supply hot water at a fraction of the cost of a fuel-fired furnace. Ed Scroxton, on Peter’s Way, is the first year-rounder to take advantage of this new technology and to benefit from federal and New York State incentives that substantially reduce its cost. (Click any image for a larger photo.)
The second property benefiting from the innovation and the subsidies is a three-unit apartment building on Madeline Avenue owned by Walsh Park Benevolent Corporation, whose single-family homes and apartment buildings house 30% of the island’s year-round residents. The two houses have been equipped with a total of four condensers and two hot water heat pumps, improved insulation, and enhanced electrical service, where needed.
Scroxton, whose heat pumps have been operating since mid-September, reports he is very pleased with the installation. He looks forward to saving money on his heating bill this winter, and to using (sparingly) the air conditioning feature next summer.
A total of $116,000 has been invested in the energy renovations in the two buildings. The New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA) and other New York State agencies are paying for $44,000, the Fishers Island Fund has contributed $30,000, and Walsh Park is funding $27,000 of the project cost on the Madeline Avenue property. In addition, Scroxton is taking out a $15,000 low-interest loan (4%) from a NYSERDA affiliate.
The Fishers Island Fund and Walsh Park have worked together for nearly two years to make these two projects a reality. The first challenge was to find a contractor certified by NYSERDA to supervise the projects and obtain NYSERDA support for them. None of the Fishers Island contractors are NYSERDA certified. A careful search by Jim Ingram, the treasurer of the Fishers Island Fund, eventually produced the name of Julie Liu, the principal of Centsible House, a New York-based enterprise with extensive experience with energy efficiency measures in the State, notably working with Con Ed. Julie was invited to Fishers Island, interviewed by the Fishers Island Fund and Walsh Park, and began an energy audit of each property. As the projects got underway, she visited the Island frequently and became well known to many.
The second challenge was to enlist the participation of Fishers Island contractors from the relevant trades. Eventually, Liu’s experience and knowledge, and the appeal of encouraging energy efficiency on the Island, convinced Chris LaFleche, Tom Ravino and Aaron Lusker, and Jeremy Spofford to join the effort. The electrical contractor on both the Scroxton and Madeline Avenue projects was LaFleche and Sons. Tom’s Plumbing and Heating was the plumbing contractor, and Lusker and Spofford installed insulation and did carpentry work where needed.
Founded in 1987, Walsh Park promotes the viability of the Fishers Island community by creating and maintaining an ample supply of housing for year-round residents who are active, contributing members of the community.
Launched in 2023, the Fishers Island Fund is a 501c3 organization whose mission is to improve the life of those who live year round on the Island.
