The summer months can put a strain on anyone's electricity budget. Reliant is proud to offer a Beat the Heat program providing relief from the heat in Corpus Christi, Houston and North Texas.
The need for social distancing has changed the way services are provided by Reliant-sponsored Beat the Heat programs. Please review the updates below for additional information.
Staying Cool at Home
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are staying home to stay healthy. With that in mind, here are tips for staying cool at home this summer.
- Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
- Pay attention to the temperature in your home
- Stay hydrated by drinking more water than usual
- Use cooling towels
- Take cool baths or showers
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which are dehydrating
- Have a loved one call to check on you throughout the day
- Ask your doctor how heat can affect any medications you're taking
- Limit outdoor activity
- Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
Houston
Reliant's Beat the Heat portable air conditioner program assists eligible seniors, disabled individuals, and families without means to cool their homes. If you are a resident of Precinct 2 in East Harris County, please contact Precint2gether at 713-274-2222 for details. Otherwise, please call the Harris County Area Agency on Aging at 832-393-4301 to learn more.
If you would like to be notified when emergency cooling centers open, please register for AlertHouston notifications. You may also call 3-1-1, follow the City of Houston on Facebook, or check their news releases for updates and locations.
Individuals should call 832-393-4984 if they have home cooling concerns.
Corpus Christi
Reliant's Beat the Heat Centers are currently only offering drive-through services. If you are a Corpus Christi resident and need help paying your utility bill, please call the Nueces County Community Action Agency at 361-882-4193.
If you would like to be notified when emergency cooling centers open, please register for ReverseAlert notifications. You may also call 361-826-3472, follow the City of Corpus Christi on Facebook, or check their news releases for updates and locations.
Greenwood Senior Center
4040 Greenwood Dr.
Corpus Christi, TX 78416
361-826-1368
Oveal Williams Senior Center
1414 Martin Luther King Dr.
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
361-826-2305
Lindale Senior Center
3135 Swantner
Corpus Christi, TX 78404
361-826-2340
North Texas
For 10 years Reliant has supported the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center and the West Dallas Multipurpose Center’s Beat the Heat program in the City of Dallas. While the City wants to keep their residents safe, the Center's are currently closed and evaluating how to provide heat relief for the Summer of 2020.
Reliant is proud to sponsor The Salvation Army of North Texas’ Summer Cooling Stations!
Extreme heat can be life-threatening. During the summer months, these stations will provide a place to cool off and rehydrate. We're proud to offer locations in Dallas, Denton, Fort Worth, Garland, Lewisville, McKinney, Oak Cliff, Plano, and Waxahachie.
The Salvation Army has established a threshold of 100 degrees for 3 days in a row for opening Cooling Stations. Once a decision to open Cooling Stations is made, they remain open until September 1st or later if needed.
Safety precautions: To ensure the well-being of all staff and visitors, each location is taking extra sanitizing measures and also enforcing the use of masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and social distancing. Cooling Station areas will be sanitized and wiped down frequently and between uses. Additionally, staff and volunteers will be trained to spot signs of heat-related health issues so that emergency services can be called and/or implemented if needed.
If you would like to be notified when emergency cooling centers open, please register for notifications. You may also call 3-1-1, follow the City of Dallas on Facebook, or check their news releases for updates and locations.
CARE Program
Powering those in need
We all need electricity, but sometimes making ends meet is difficult. The CARE (Community Assistance from Reliant Energy) program works with nonprofit social service agencies to provide funding to Reliant customers who qualify for assistance with their electricity bills. Please note that CARE assistance is issued at the discretion of the agency. Customers who meet the agency criteria will receive assistance, funded by corporate and customer contributions, to help pay their electricity bills during difficult times. CARE is designed to help supplement what customers are able to pay but may not necessarily pay the entire electricity bill.
If you need help paying your electricity bill, call 2-1-1 within Texas or visit 211texas.org. Be sure to mention that you are a Reliant customer. 2-1-1 Texas does not distribute funds directly but can refer customers to agency partners who may have available resources. Be sure to contact the agency you're referred to by phone to get the latest information on how to submit your application.