Weatherization Assistance

Jim Lehman and his dog, Chubs, look forward to a less expensive year.

The 46-year-old sought help with his electric bills while looking for a job in the technology field. It was then he learned of the funds available to trim future electric costs.

“Electricity is kind of expensive in an older home,” Jim said.

Through the Texoma Council of Governments’ weatherization assistance program, CoServ Members can apply for a TCOG energy review and receive money to cover energy efficiency improvements – whether it is insulation in the walls or an updated HVAC system.

“What it’s designed to do is really cut your energy costs,” said Evan Brown, weatherization assistance program supervisor with the Texoma Council of Governments. “It is for people who may have lost their jobs or are in the process of receiving social security benefits or something like that.”

The income-based program was created almost 15 years ago. In 2017 about 150 residents from the Texoma region (the area along Texas-Oklahoma border) received weatherization services.

Last year the program was extended to residents in Denton and Collin counties. Evan said he is hoping to help more residents from the counties served by CoServ.

After an energy assessment of Jim’s 25-year-old home, crews placed 8 inches of insulation in his attic and put solar screens on all the windows.

The Lewisville resident noticed an immediate difference.

“Even in the winter, I didn’t have to turn on the furnace much,” he said. “It stayed warm enough.”

Nonprofit Spotlight

WHAT: Energy Services assists low-income households in their energy needs and encourages consumers to control energy costs.

Weatherization assistance includes energy-saving home installations, which can reduce energy consumption up to 40 percent. Assistance is available to owner-occupied and renter-occupied homes.

• insulation in the attic, walls and floors
• caulking
• weather-stripping
• repair or replacement of heating and air conditioning units.

COUNTIES SERVED: Bowie, Camp, Cass, Collin, Cooke, Delta, Denton, Fannin, Franklin, Grayson, Hopkins, Hunt, Lamar, Mario, Morris, Rains, Red River, Rockwall, and Titus.

Texoma Council of Governments
Energy Services
Evan Brown
(903) 813-3526
www.tcog.com/energy-services