Waco woman receives free HVAC system after 20 years without heat and air
Local air and heating company partners with manufacturers to donate unit to 84-year-old homeowner
WACO, Texas (KWTX) - An 84-year-old Waco woman received a new heating and air conditioning system after living without proper climate control for 30 years.
Lenora Harrison has lived in her Waco home for nearly three decades. For 20 of those years, she went without a working HVAC system, forcing her to endure hot summers and cold winters without proper temperature control.
“I had ducks, chickens, and all of that. And the kids would be out there playing,” Harrison said.
Creative solutions for staying warm
Harrison said she used creative methods to stay warm, including turning on her oven, using space heaters or leaving her house to stay with family members.
“I’d go over their house to stay warm, I’d go over to her grandson’s house too,” Harrison said.
Her grandson, DeMarcus Parr, said his concerns grew as the problem persisted.
“You could freeze to death. Not only that, as old as that thing is, it throws out carbon monoxide. Grandma doesn’t need to be inhaling that no way,” Parr said.
Local company steps in to help
Harrison’s family contacted Heating and Air Paramedics to work on her unit, but the system’s condition was so poor that repairs only lasted about two months.
Once family members reached back out about the failed repair, owner Clint Smith said he could not stand to see Harrison continue to struggle with the weather. He partnered with Ferguson and Friedrich air conditioning companies to provide Harrison with a new system at no cost.
“They donated you not only a heater but an air conditioner. You are getting a brand-new Friedrich heating and air conditioning unit,” Smith told Harrison.
Smith said heating and air conditioning are necessities for people.
“Look at the cost of everything right now, it’s tough. People are kind of pulling back of what they spend their money on, but this is a necessity. HVAC, air condition, heating, it’s a necessity for people. Look at yesterday, it was cold,” Smith said.
Harrison said she relies on her community and faith to get through difficult times.
“I’m so happy, thank God,” Harrison said. “I just thank God, I just thank him every day, each and every day. Now I can be happy.”
Planners say installation begins Tuesday, along with J’s Grab and Go Catering providing breakfast and lunch for the family.
Bowen Electric will soon repair wiring for free.
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