Story Created:
Jan 8, 2010 at 7:23 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Jan 8, 2010 at 7:23 PM CDT
(Springfield, Mo.) -- Last year the Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation, or OACAC, helped more than 250 in southwest Missouri weatherize their homes. This year, thanks to a stimulus grant it hopes to help around 800.
The goal is to help with the cost of energy by cutting down usage.
"A lot of my money was going right out the door," says Springfield homeowner Rita Huntoon.
They say old houses are drafty. Just ask Huntoon.
"There's no denying that, that's for sure," says Huntoon. "It would feel like the wind was blowing right through the walls."
No longer, though. That draft has been plugged.
"She had cracks in her back wall and stuff and we had to seal those," says Daniel Lee, who is part of a three-person OACAC weatherization crew.
They sealed them at no cost to Huntoon.
"For me, it's a worthwhile investment for anybody," says Lee.
It's all thanks to an assisted weatherization program through OACAC.
"Energy assistance is important for people in a crisis situation, but, hopefully, if they have weatherization done the crisis will be reduced where they don't need quite as much or maybe they don't need it at all next year. So, this is kind of a fix instead of just a band-aid," says Todd Steinman, OACAC's Weatherization Director.
"I'm on a fixed income, and without this help, it would take me forever to get all this stuff done, because I have to do a little here and a little there. They can come in and just do a big sweep," says Huntoon.
Friday, one of OACAC's four weatherization crews was in day two of that sweep, doing repairs that likely would have cost Huntoon around three thousand dollars. Instead, it's free, and even more savings in the long run.
"On some we probably save them $50 a month," says Lee.
Simple fixes like caulking around windows and doors, and repairing heating ducts, can add up to big savings.
"From what I've done, it's been a major difference. So, I know when they're done it'll be a major difference," says Huntoon.
...making Huntoon's house more of a home, and putting the outside in its place.
Contact: dmagditch@kspr.com
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