SHRRP Getting Your AC Summer-Ready

Karen Schruz waited in the cool comfort of her living room as Senior Housing Repair & Replacement Program team members made sure her air conditioning unit was summerready. They checked that her unit was running properly. They also changed her air filters and helped her reprogram her thermostat for warmer temperatures.

“A lot of people think turning off your air conditioning when they leave will save money, but the truth is, it uses more energy bringing the temperature back down than just leaving it running at a bit warmer temperature when you’re not home,” said HVAC Supervisor

Andy McMonigal. “If you have your thermostat set at 72 when you’re home, just bump it up to 75 when you’re out.”

He also advises making sure you replace your air conditioning filters every 30 days to keep your unit running at its best.

“Our clients are on a schedule and we drop off their filters every 30 days and install them if the clients need assistance,” said McMonigal.

Karen is grateful for the help. She has been a SHRRP client for about 10 years.

“I was in denial for a while [before calling SHRRP]. I was always so independent, but then I started getting sick and I needed a walker. I had carpet before so they redid my floors so I could get around better,” said Karen.

Since then, SHRRP has helped Karen in a variety of ways. They replaced her shower and fixed the plumbing in one bathroom when it had no water. They also help with weed abatement and other tasks that would be challenging for her.

“They have such great service, but people need to be patient,” advised Karen. “SHRRP does a lot of work all over the community and they sometimes take a while to get to you because they are helping others, but they will get it done. They care about our seniors and they do good work. Just remember, they are doing the best they can.”

In addition to weatherizing homes, SHRRP provides a variety of other services to qualified community residents.

These can include complex renovations and retrofitting of interiors to meet health or safety need such as, but not limited to:

• Kitchen Cabinets

• Flooring

• Handicap Bathrooms

• Ramps

• Exterior Door Covers

• Roofing

SHRRP also provides services that seniors and those with adaptive and medical needs may find challenging such as changing air filters or

programming thermostats. Qualified individuals must be members of the community, age 55+ or qualify with medical disability, and have a home condition that detrimentally affects their health, welfare or safety.

If you think you or someone you know may qualify, call the SHRRP helpline Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at 480.362.7800.

If you are an existing SHRRP client with an afterhours/weekend HVAC or plumbing emergency, you can call community dispatch to reach an on-call technician or plumber at 480.850.9230.