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Staying Safe in the Texas Heat: AC Help for Palo Pinto & Parker County

Beat the Texas Heat: Help If Your AC Goes Out

If you've stepped outside this month, you already know — this has been a brutal stretch of heat. For seniors and anyone managing a health condition, a broken air conditioner isn't just an inconvenience. Heat-related illness can set in fast, and knowing your options ahead of time can make all the difference.

Our bodies become less efficient at regulating temperature as we get older, and many common medications can make it harder to cope with heat. If your home climbs above 80–85 degrees for more than a few hours, it's worth taking action rather than waiting it out. Watch for heavy sweating or hot skin that isn't sweating, dizziness or confusion, nausea, or a fast weak pulse. If you or a loved one shows these signs, move to a cooler space immediately and don't hesitate to call 911 — heat stroke is a medical emergency.

Live in Palo Pinto or Parker County?

Texas Neighborhood Services (TNS), the local Community Action Agency for our area, administers the state's Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). Depending on funding and eligibility, CEAP can help with electric bill assistance and, in some cases, emergency AC repair or replacement for qualifying households.

Address: 522 Palo Pinto Street, Weatherford, TX 76086
Phone: (817) 598-5700 ext. 1010
Email: application@txns.org
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9 AM–3 PM

There's also the Texas Weatherization Assistance Program, which offers free home efficiency upgrades — including duct repair and, in some cases, full HVAC replacement — for income-eligible households. Learn more at tdhca.texas.gov/weatherization or call 800-525-0657.

Live outside Palo Pinto or Parker County?

Community Action Agencies cover every county in Texas, but each one serves a different set of counties, so if you're outside our area, TNS isn't the right office for you. Call 211 (free, 24/7, multilingual) and they'll connect you directly to the CEAP/LIHEAP provider serving your county. You can also call TDHCA directly at 800-525-0657 or visit tdhca.texas.gov/weatherization.

Oklahoma readers: your state's program is administered by Oklahoma Human Services (LIHEAP). Apply online at OKDHSLive.org, or call their energy assistance line at (405) 522-5050.

A few low-cost ways to stay cooler in the meantime

Close blinds or curtains during peak sun hours (roughly 10 AM–4 PM). Use fans to move air, especially near windows in the evening once it cools outside. Stay hydrated even if you don't feel thirsty. Check on elderly neighbors or family members, especially those living alone.

Eligibility and funding availability change from year to year, so the best step is simply to call and ask — don't assume you won't qualify.

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