Weatherization group readies for winter
Published 10:32 am Friday, November 7, 2008
The Minnesota Weatherization Group fights Mother Nature and utility companies.
It does so the old-fashioned way: Insulating windows from the cold outside using clear plastic and tape.
Jim Hosp, Austin, thinks the Minnesota Weatherization Group is a very good idea to help the economically disadvantaged.
He said he can reduce heating bills by 20 to 30 percent.
“We use only the very best materials,” Hosp said.
Installation takes about two hours per project.
The work is also an act of faith on Hosp’s part. His favorite saying is “You are what you do.”
He means “helping others in need.”
Getting paid is only part of the satisfaction he gets. “If I can get my money back for the project, that’s great,” he said. “If I can save someone, a young mother with children maybe, some real money, those people, those children are going to have a better life.”
The idea for Minnesota Weatherization Group didn’t happen overnight, and he is doing for others what he felt compelled to do for himself, because of the sour economy.
“Like most Americans, people in Austin are feeling the effects of the high cost of living,” Hosp said. “We struggle to enjoy the standard of living we had just a few years ago.”
Knowing this, Hosp said simply, “I wanted to help.”
He first got the idea three years ago, when he visited with Pastor Dave DeFor at Austin Church of Christ, but it took time before the idea took shape.
That came after he visited with his children and together they came up with details for the Minnesota Weatherization Group: The family would insulate windows in Austin homes for the price of materials.
“I know it works. I’ve done it every year for the last 15 years at my own home,” Hosp said.
A good example of what Minnesota Weatherization Group offers occurred Thursday at Bremerton Townhomes in west Austin.
Hosp and his son, Collin, were working for Maria Acosta, manager, who hired them to insulate the windows of her townhome.
“What I’ve tried to tell everyone is utility bills are so high. There’s no way they will be able to pay the high bills they will be getting this winter,” Acosta said. “Anything to protect their home from the cold and to lower their heating and electric bills substantially is worthwhile.”
Acosta hands out fliers from her office at Bremerton Townhomes and tells clients who use the nearby laundromat about Minnesota Weatherization Group.
“It’s really cost effective what he does,” she said.
With no money to advertise, Hosp is dependent upon referrals.
“It’s his program” Major Maryls Anderson made clear. “It’s not a Salvation Army program, but we support it.”
“The Salvation Army works along with Mr. Hosp and refers names to him of clients who could benefit from this kind of help,” the Austin Corps officer in charge said.
Salvation Army Family Thrift Store employees put fliers advertising Hosp’s services inside the bagged purchases of customers.
Thus far, Hosp has weatherized 14 homes and apartments.
Hosp is a true believer in the window insulation idea. “I have insulated my windows for years,” he said. “I know it saves money.”
“I’ve done a year-to-year comparison,” Hosp said. “It saves me money and my home is much more comfortable in the cold weather.”
Hosp would like to see all older, energy inefficient properties receive attention.
Semcac has a weatherization program of its own and Austin Utilities offers home energy audits as a means of identifying areas that need to be protected in order to save energy costs.
Hosp would like to see the day all of Austin is protected.
“I’m firmly convinced if Austin were to make a conscientious effort to adopt an energy philosophy or program to protect the disadvantaged, we would be way ahead of the energy game,” Hosp said.
So, he and his children do that: one house at a time. Windows, sliding doors, air conditions, any where cold weather can invade a home.
It’s a pay-as-they-go type service: Hosp does the work, the clients pay on the spot.
For more information, call Hosp at 507 440-7614.