Video: Weatherization Program Helps Residents Save

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Chilly weather has made its way to North Mississippi and one lucky Starkville resident got her home weatherized today thanks to community action agency Prairie Opportunity.

Delphine Maxwell was chosen by the organization after a two-year waiting period.

“I was so happy that this was going to happen to me and when she told me all the things that would occur with my home, I just felt so special,” says Maxwell.

Sheryl Perkins, Weatherization Coordinator for Prairie Opportunity, says Maxwell will receive some much-needed repairs that will save energy and money.

“We’re going to install solar screens on her house which will keep the sun from coming in, which will knock down on her cooling unit running all the time. We’re going to insulate her attic. She has about three inches of insulation in her attic. Some areas, she doesn’t have anything. So that’s the main priority, getting the insulation in her attic,” says Perkins.

October 30th is National Weatherization Day and since 2009, Prairie Opportunity has helped nearly 700 homes lower their energy bill.

On Wednesday, demonstrations by Loews, Quality Aluminum and Blevins will be held in McKee Park to show home owners energy saving tips. Perkins says there a number of things people can do on their own.

“Things they can do themselves are putting  door sweeps on their doors and weather stripping around the doors. We show them how to do that. Caulking holes. You’d be surprised that small holes, when you have several of them through out the house, how much heat you’re losing in the winter time and how much air you’re losing in the summer time,” says Perkins.

Maxwell will also receive a new heating and cooling unit, hot water heater, smoke alarms and energy saving light bulbs.

“It’s going to affect me a great deal because my bills are going to go down. My electric bill and my gas bill,” says Maxwell.

Perkins says the funds for the program came through President Obama’s stimulus package but the funds will soon run out.

For more information about Prairie Opportunity’s Weatherization program, call 662-323-3397.