A donation from Reliant Energy is allowing Fort Worth firefighters to provide 100 window air conditioners for residents across the city. They installed several units Thursday.
They started at a house in East Fort Worth where the owner says she had just covered windows with blankets to keep the sun out and was running fans.
"Especially in the months of July, August and September, it gets pretty hot in here," says Natividad Garcia.
Garcia thanked firefighters as they were setting the unit in place.
"I want to thank them very much, all of them, everybody," she says. "I love you all. God bless each and every one of y'all."
"We'd much rather see them on this side of that call when we show up at their address to maybe prevent some heat exhaustion calls," says the Fort Worth Fire Department's Craig Trojacek.
Firefighters talked with homeowners as they measured and sealed the air conditioners in place. Trojacek says Reliant Energy donated the air conditioners, and the department provided manpower to get them installed.
"We're still there to put out fires whenever it's needed, but we like to get out into the community and help out in away way we can," he says. "With the partnership and donation from Reliant, we're able to come out here and help some folks before it turns into an EMS call."
"The partnership with the fire department is so important," says Reliant Chief Experience Officer Suzie Dieth. "They know the needs of the community; we have the resources to help them."
Dieth says Reliant donated $20,000 to buy 100 air conditioners in Fort Worth. Reliant is also working with the city to use four community centers for spots where people can cool off. Locations and hours can be found at Reliant.com/beattheheat.
She urges others to make sure their homes are set up to keep energy costs as low as possible during the summer. Reliant says people can keep blinds closed during the day to block the sun.
Running fans can also make a room feel several degrees cooler. For people who are leaving their home empty four or more hours, Reliant urges you to turn your thermostat up four degrees.
Homeowners can also check their house is properly insulated and wait until nighttime to run appliances that generate heat like clothes dryers, ovens and stoves. A complete list of suggestions is available at https://www.reliant.com/en/residential/electricity/energy-management/tips-to-lower-your-electricity-bill.