Families Endure Chill To Avoid High Bills
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KAUFMAN COUNTY(CBSDFW.COM) - Despite the cold, some North Texans are afraid to turn on the heat in their own homes. Some families in Kaufman County have spent recent cold nights, including Tuesday night using firewood and bundled up with blankets trying to stay warm.
For Amy Dennis and her kids, Tuesday night is what they call a four-layer night.
"Last night it was very cold we were getting up every couple of hours to keep the fire going," says Dennis.
Her thermostat is off inside the Kaufman County mother's mobile home after consecutive electric bills of $300 and $400.
"We have it turned off at the breaker and with the bill that I have now I can't imagine what it would be like if my heat was going," says Dennis.
Inside the Granger home, Nikki and Rocky sleep on the couch Tuesday night by their wood stove.
They have not only turned off their central heat, they've closed off half their home.
"We're trying all this stuff and not getting any pay off at all," says Nikki Granger.
The Trinity Valley Electric Cooperative says the high bills thousands of customers have received are the result of colder temps and "and an increase in the cost of wholesale power."
That means TV's and lights are off as much as possible. Space heaters and fireplaces only offer so much comfort to these homeowners who choose to be cold over getting deeper in debt.
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