As summer heats up, Ameren Missouri wants Central Missouri residents to stay cool.
On Tuesday afternoon, Ameren unloaded and donated three pallets of air conditioners to the Samaritan Center at 1310 E. McCarty St. In recent days, temperature in Mid-Missouri reached into the upper 90s and heat indexes soared past 100 degrees. Given the stifling heat, Ameren said it hopes residents in need can stay cool.
"It's just one way to give back to the community," said Ameren Division Director Chip Webb, who oversees the Jefferson City area for Ameren.
Ameren began donating air conditioners to the Samaritan Center 13 years ago. The utility also donates air conditioners in St. Louis and Cape Girardeau each year. Webb said the Samaritan Center will disburse the 50 energy efficient air conditioners to local residents in need.
Greg Maples, a single parent in the region, will receive one of the units. Three months ago, a cottonwood tree damaged his air conditioner in his house.
On Monday night, the temperature reached 87 degrees in his house, making sleep difficult, Maples said. The heat forced him to get up and take a cold shower at 3 a.m. to cool down.
The Missouri Department of Social Services offers two programs to help low-income residents cover energy costs. Under the department's Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, qualifying households can receive up to $300 in the summer and $800 in the winter to pay for cooling or heating costs. The summer assistance season starts in June and ends in September. The winter season runs December through May.
Ameren's Dollar More program also works with local United Way chapters to disburse funds. This program typically relies on donations from customers and community members for funds.
Ameren spokesman Brad Brown said Ameren will try to help customers in need.
"Be proactive," Brown said. "It's easier to help before there's a problem than after there's a problem."
Webb said the air conditioners use less energy than similar units did a decade ago. During the summer, energy usage typically peaks in July.
Brown said Ameren is currently investing in renewable energy technologies like wind and solar projects. Energy-efficient products like air conditioners help reduce the required load on the electric grid.
"Energy efficiency is one of the many ways we're trying to transition to cleaner forms of generation," he said. "Energy efficiency is one of the best ways to do that because of the savings."