"During the day, [the] hot part of the day, it's cooler outside than it is in the house," William Bennett said.
Bennett's 50-year-old home is falling apart. He has no air conditioning and no money to put it in.
"The door needs to be replaced," he said. "It's all raggedy. It doesn't fit. I'm not able to do what needs to be done. I get Social Security. That's all I have," Bennett said.
Sadly, more than 400 Americans die every year from extreme heat. Most of the victims didn't have air conditioning.
Bennett won't be one of them thanks to crews from Reliant Energy and a group called Rebuilding Together. They've teamed up to install hundreds of free air conditioners around Houston.
"It's awfully hot and it really can become unsafe for seniors," Reliant Energy representative Pat Hammond said. "We recommend they go to a cool place if they're trying to live without air conditioning."
To be eligible for the free air conditioner program and energy saving repairs, you must be a senior citizen on a low income, own your own home, or be disabled.
There aren't enough free air conditioners for everyone in Houston who needs one, but if you or someone you know wants to cool off for a few hours, you can always go to one of nine "Beat the Heat Centers" in town. You can even reserve a free ride.
As for Bennett, he's now cool as a cucumber. Reliant Energy not only installed his new air conditioner, he got a new energy-efficient fridge and new doors to keep the cool air in.
"We're glad we could help," Hammond said.
One very grateful man is doing better now.
"They helped me find something I couldn't have done on my own," Bennett said.
If you think you qualify for the free air conditioner program, you can call Reliant Energy at (713) 497-6666, or contact Rebuilding Together Houston at (713) 228-2890.
To reserve a free ride to a "Beat the Heat Center," call (713) 497-2711.
Or, if you can head there on your own, listed below are the locations:
"Beat the Heat Centers" offer water, snacks, movies, games for kids, and even lunch.
