PINEVILLE, La. – For 11 consecutive years, Cleco has been helping the elderly beat the heat by collecting fans through its fan drive. As the summer heats up early this year, Cleco will deliver more than 1,000 fans to local agencies to distribute to those in need.

“Some of our employees may never realize the impact their efforts could have on a customer this summer,” said Anthony Bunting, vice president of customer service and energy delivery. “Many of our elderly live on a fixed income and some may not run their air conditioners as they should in an effort to stretch their funds to cover expenses. Something as small as a fan can make a huge difference during the summer months.”

Each year, Cleco works with more than 20 councils on aging and other social service organizations throughout its service footprint. This year, Cleco will donate at least 50 fans to each agency for distribution.

According to Cleco, air conditioners and heating are the largest users of electricity in a home, and the company recommends a thermostat setting of 78 degrees during the summer. Fans can help make the air feel 10 degrees cooler and are a great way to manage electricity usage.

“This year, the extreme heat came early, and air conditioners are running nonstop,” said Bunting. “Customers need to know that consecutive days of hot weather with no rain and very little cloud cover will have a cumulative effect, requiring more from their air conditioners.”

Other ways to conserve energy and manage usage are to close blinds and curtains to keep the sun rays from warming a home, use heat generating appliances during the cooler parts of the day and use compact fluorescent bulbs for light as they use less energy and stay cooler when in use.

Senior citizens in need of a fan should contact an agency in their area listed below:

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS: 
Acadia Council on Aging in Crowley
Allen Council on Aging in Oakdale
Avoyelles Council on Aging in Marksville
Beauregard Council on Aging in DeRidder
Calcasieu Council on Aging in DeQuincy
Campti Senior Center
DeSoto Council on Aging in Mansfield
Evangeline Council on Aging in Ville Platte
Eunice Food Bank in Eunice 
Grant Council on Aging in Colfax
Iberia Council on Aging in New Iberia
Natchitoches Council on Aging in Natchitoches
Rapides Council on Aging in Alexandria
Rapides Senior Center in Pineville
Red River Council on Aging in Coushatta
Sabine Council on Aging in Many
St. Landry Council on Aging in Opelousas
St. Martin Council on Aging in Breaux Bridge
St. Mary Council on Aging in Franklin
St. Tammany Council on Aging in Covington
Vernon Council on Aging in Leesville