SAN ANTONIO – Irma Barron’s West Side home is over 100 years old, but it feels brand new to her thanks to her participation in the Alamo Area Council of Government’s weatherization assistance program.
“They did a great job,” Barron said. “I'm really pleased with the program.”
“We help out low-income families, elderly, anybody that can qualify as far as moneywise,” said Michael Martinez, AACOG quality compliance supervisor. “We look at the envelope of the house, which is the outside walls. We check the insulation levels, make sure there's adequate insulation up to the current code.”
AACOG serves 13 counties in South Texas, and thanks to federal funding, it had $1.5 million to spend on area homes. More than 100 homeowners have been helped so far with another 70 on tap. Martinez said there’s still funding for an additional 100 families or more.
“We generally budget anywhere from $3,200 to $5,000 per home,” Martinez said. “All completely free to the client, anybody that qualifies.”
Barron learned about the program through CPS Energy and was hesitant at first but has already seen major changes in her home and utility bill.
“My bill before was like $500, and my bill has gone half. I think my bill right now is like $245,” Barron said. “Now I can tell the difference, even if I don't have the air on. If I have just the ceiling fans on, it's great.”
Barron is doing what she can to get neighbors or anyone else to sign up, even inviting them inside to see for themselves.
“They sat in here and said, 'Boy, there's a difference,’” she said. “I can tell the difference right away. “People are hesitant sometimes because they think it can't possibly be free. Well, it is free.”
The program does have a qualification process. Interested residents can log onto this website to learn more.
