Monday's Internet Edition, May 12, 2008.
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Staff Writer
- Most families across the state are turning up their thermostats to combat cold weather — but for some families, that’s just not an option.
High energy costs for electricity and natural gas have forced some to go without heat this winter, since they’re unable to pay connection fees, account balances, or keep up with the monthly bills.
Enter Lexington-based Regional Consolidation Services and their Weatherization Assistance Program.
Sponsored by the Department of Energy, the company helps provide permanent solutions to reduce the strain of high-energy bills on low-income families.
When RCS says “permanent,” they mean it. The company employs solutions such as extra insulation, energy-saving lightbulbs and shower heads, sealing air leaks, sealing and insulating air and heating ducts, installing “smart” thermostats, and performing tune-ups and repairs to heating and cooling systems.
“We winterize homes across five counties,” said weatherization assistant Shirley Jones, a Thomasville resident.
The process takes approximately two days, and the amount done for the house depends upon how big it is and what needs to be done.
RCS provides weatherization assistance to single-family and multi-family dwellings and mobile homes, and the services are not restricted to those who own their home.
“We just like to help as much as we can,” said Duke Power representative Donnell Corbett, who was on-site last week at the Winston Street home of Frank McGill. “We know costs are up, and we know folks have problems paying their bills. Helping out like this is important to us.”
Corbett said Duke Power had donated $1,000 toward the weatherization project at McGill’s home.
“This is just a fantastic project,” McGill said. “I’m so happy to get it.”
McGill has lived in his home for close to 40 years.
Recently, he said, his gas heating bill was well over $250 — and a relative paid nearly three times that.
McGill said his home used to be located behind what is now Thomasville City Hall, and was moved to its current location many years ago. It used to be the home of E.L. Peterson, the first principal of Church Street School.
“It’s a very old house,” he said. “It has needed some things that I just can’t afford to have done.”
At McGill’s home, RCS workers replaced and re-glazed several windows, insulated the floor, sealed air leaks around windows and the door, installed two carbon monoxide detectors, installed compact flourescent bulbs, and installed low-flow shower heads and water faucets.
RCS performs its work at no charge to its clients.
Jones spoke with Thomasville mayor Joe Bennett at a recent Habitat for Humanity award banquet. Bennett is retired from Duke Power, and immediately knew what to do.
“I sent her to Donnell [Corbett] first thing,” he said. “I knew he’d know how to go about getting this done. She got it together and got things going, and I’m so pleased it worked out the way it did.”
For more information, call RCS at 249-2016. The company is located at 521-C E. Center St. in Lexington.
(Feb. 28)