NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Making a home more energy efficient — from insulation to a new HVAC system — can cost thousands of dollars. A Nashville program is covering some of those improvements for free.
Ann Doty says her home feels cooler this summer than it has in years.
"For the first time in my home, I get up and be like, 'Ooh, it's cold in here,'" Doty said.
That comfort is a big change from just weeks ago, when Doty and her disabled son were living with a broken HVAC system.
"When the air conditioning went out. So horrible," Doty said.
Now, the summer heat stays outside — all thanks to MDHA's Weatherization Assistance Program.
"I got like the biggest blessing ever, ever," Doty said.
Through the program, Davidson County families with limited incomes can get free upgrades that will save them money on energy bills for years to come. Projects can include insulation and HVAC replacement.
Before learning about the program, Doty had been considering taking out a home equity line of credit, or HELOC, to pay for those projects herself.
"Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. The $25,000, $18,000, ya know, I would've had to take out a second mortgage on my home, which was really something I didn't want to have to do," Doty said.
According to the latest Metro records, about $1.2 million in weatherization funding helped 90 Davidson County households in a recent year. Funding for the program comes from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Doty says she has no regrets about avoiding that debt.
"There's two people you just don't want to get into it with... that's the IRS and NES," Doty said, laughing.
Doty is grateful someone told her about the program and wants others to know about it too.
"I am definitely forever grateful to MDHA and this weatherization program," Doty said.
Families qualify if they make no more than twice the federal poverty level — that's $66,000 or less for a family of four, for example.
| Household Size | Maximum Income Limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $31,920 |
| 2 | $43,280 |
| 3 | $54,640 |
| 4 | $66,000 |
| 5 | $77,360 |
| 6 | $88,720 |
| 7 | $100,080 |
| 8 | $111,440 |
*For families with more than 8 persons, add $11,360 for each additional person.
For other resources like this, visit NewsChannel5.com/HannahCanHelp to connect you with help that's available in our community.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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