Seniors can stay cool during Texas summer

Dallas—North Texas is expected to be even hotter than average this summer. To protect our most vulnerable neighbors, TXU Energy is teaming up with The Senior Source to provide relief through the distribution of hundreds of window air conditioning units and box fans to help older adults stay cool via its Beat the Heat initiative.

In June and July, The Senior Source and TXU Energy will distribute 600 new window air conditioning units and 200 box fans to seniors around Dallas County who lack access to reliable sources of air conditioning in their homes. At least 334 people in Texas died from heat in 2023, according to data compiled by the Texas Department of State Health Services, and tens of thousands of Dallas seniors live on a fixed income of just $1,000 or less, making large, expensive home purchases impossible for their budgets.

“Since 2008, we’ve partnered with The Senior Source for Beat the Heat and have been able to provide more than 2,200 window air conditioning units to Dallas-area seniors who do not have reliable access to air conditioning in their homes,” said Kim Campbell, senior manager customer advocacy for Vistra, TXU Energy’s parent company. “Having access to cool air in your home during the hot summer months in Texas should not be a luxury and we are grateful for The Senior Source and our community partners who enable us to continue to provide this vital relief for our neighbors.”

Volunteers from The Senior Source, TXU Energy and partners will distribute the A/C units and fans at three locations:

Additionally, The Tyler Street Foundation is sponsoring a Senior Expo at each of the distribution locations, connecting attendees to essential services and community resources aimed at older adults. Other major event sponsors include United Texas Bank and Wellcare.

“Our body's ability to respond to heat decreases with age,” Stacey Malcolmson, president and CEO of The Senior Source, said. “In Dallas, over the past decade we have averaged more than 100 days over 90 degrees during the summer, and for a senior who does not have a way to effectively cool their home, these temperatures represent a serious risk. We must look out for our neighbors, especially ones who are older and more susceptible to be impacted by extreme heat.”

To be eligible to register for an A/C unit or box fan, you must live in Dallas County, be at least 60 years old without a reliable source of cool air in your home, and agree to attend the Beat the Heat Senior Expo at your pick-up location.

Pre-registration is required. Qualifying members of the public can register for a window air conditioning unit or box fan.  

Donations for Beat the Heat can be made online at: theseniorsource.org/special-events/beat-the-heat.

SOURCE The Senior Source