CRDC makes upgrades to Turrell home

CRDC makes upgrades to Turrell home

Council foots the bill for energy- efficiency improvements

news@theeveningtimes.com

It was a long time coming for Turrell home owner Frankie Williams but it all turned out to be worth the wait. Williams applied to Crowley’s Ridge Development Council for weatherization assistance. She received upgrades to lower the utility bill in her home including a new whole house heater, improvements for her hot water tank and some repairs aimed at cutting outside air from flowing into the house to lower energy consumption.

CRDC board members representing Crittenden County were on hand to present Mrs. Williams a certificate of completion.

Judge Woody Wheeless, Quorum Court Justice Lisa O’Neal who represents the businesses in the county on the board, and Pastor John Rech representing the community wanted to spread the word about the program.

“We are always looking for residents just like you who need assistance and we may not know everybody out here,” said Wheeless. “The improvements will increase the comfort of your home and save you on energy usage for years to come.”

The 37-year homeowner moved into the house when it was new and the energy standards needed an update for which Williams expressed gratitude.

“They’re just doing such a good job helping people,” said Williams. “I appreciate it.”

The newest utility bill hasn’t made it to the William’s house since the upgrade but the goal was to slash the utility bill. CRDC Weatherization Director

Joe Mansfield completed the energy

improvements to the Williams home last week and went down the punch list.

“We insulated, and did a bunch of inner sealing,” said Mansfield. “We gave her a new whole house heater. We fixed some drier venting and corrected some health and safety related issues.”

The program requires big improvement in household energy efficiency.

“She will see a savings of about 50 percent on her utility bill next month,” said Mansfield. “The program is based on income and need. It was a long wait she applied more than four years ago.”

Weatherization crew member employed directly by CRDC did the work with an eye to detail to lower the use of energy and comply with strict program regulations for a high quality outcome. Some other area action agencies contract the work out.

“The quality of work is very low when you contract it out,” said Mansfield. “We are the only agency that has our own crews. Our quality is higher than anyone else according to third party quality inspections done by the State.”

The CRDC covers a seven county area in northeast Arkansas and the home in Turrell was the eighth home weatherized in Crittenden County this year.

Weatherization Assistance Program applications through the CRDC have recently become available on-line at crdcnea.org.

CRDC Executive Director Tim Wooldridge said applications are also available at the new CRDC office serving Crittenden County in West Memphis. The new office is in an old Entergy building now owned by West Memphis First Baptist on Bond St. one block west of Missouri St. Office hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on weekdays.

The church donated the space to the CRDC.

Help with utility bills is also available for qualified consumers behind on their bills.

“We are in the summer energy program,” said Wooldridge. “It goes until funds run out or Sept. 30.”

Wooldridge pointed out constraints with funds available to assist utilities customers. Often funds run out with just a one day notice from the state to the CRDC.

“We are limited by the guidelines of the State,” said Wooldridge. “When the State says it’s over it is over.”

By the Evening Times News Staff