By Alicia Kelso

It’s time to get those last-minute home winterizing duties checked off of your “to-do” list, so winter’s first bite doesn’t come as a shock.

For those financially unable to safely cross off these items, winter’s wrath can be life-threatening. But there is relief.

For the fifth consecutive year, the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)–Central Ohio Chapter, based in Dublin, will volunteer technicians, trucks and resources to provide heating assistance to homeowners throughout Central Ohio who can’t afford to complete these chores.

The Heat the Town, Columbus program will be from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 4 at 250 Central Ohio homes owned by the elderly, disabled or low-income who are unable to safely heat their homes.

Since the program’s inception, ACCA members have contributed more than $85,000 in parts and labor for close to 850 residents. The Columbus/Franklin County Community Action Agency screens and monitors all recipients.

The creation of Heat the Town, Columbus was initiated by Jeff Reed of Custom Air in Gahanna. He and Betty J. Clark, ACCA–Central Ohio executive director, caught wind of the project at a convention they attended. The Heat the Town concept was started by the ACCA North Texas chapter in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

“As soon as I heard about it, it excited me. I am so in love with this event. Just seeing these businesses that are competitors every other day of the year get together and help people who are less fortunate … It’s moving,” says Clark, a Dublin resident.

October is the time to safeguard the heating system by replacing the air filter, measure carbon monoxide levels and putting new batteries in smoke detectors. Sure, these are simple tasks for most, but they’re also financially impossible for others.

This year, 27 heating and cooling companies, 22 suppliers and vendors and 120 technicians from throughout Central Ohio will donate the work in Heat the Town, Columbus homes.

If a residence has no working smoke detectors, crew will repair or replace them or properly install new ones. They have also replaced condemned furnaces and installed new ones. The ACCA solicits furnace donations throughout the year, Clark says.

“It’s sad that, in this country, there are people who cannot heat their homes,” says John Hetterscheidt of Hetter Heating and Cooling in Columbus, who is also this year’s Heat the Town chairman. “When they use alternative methods of heating, they risk fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. ACCA members volunteer their time and materials to help keep them safe as well as comfortable. What they’re doing is truly a life-saving service for their neighbors.”

October has been declared Heat the Country Month by the ACCA. Chapters in Akron/Canton, Greater Cincinnati, Greater Cleveland, Greater Dayton and Northeast Ohio will also participate in Heat the Town events.

The ACCA–Central Ohio office is located at 6479 Reflections Dr., Suite 150, Dublin. For more information, visit www.acca-centralohio.com.

Alicia Kelso is editor of Dublin Life.