NORFOLK, Va. — For roughly 40 years, Gwendolyn Bailey has called the house that sits on Lake Taylor Drive, her home. However, her time there, throughout the years, hasn't been easy.
“It’s been a struggle because it’s been one thing after another,” she said.
Bailey said she’s had issues with her air conditioning and heating, roof leaks and broken window panes. And trying to heat her home during the winter months came with a high Dominion Energy bill.
“My bill was going up and up and up and up and up," she said. "I called them and asked them was there anything that they could do.”
That's when she found out she was able to take part in a bill assistance program as well as Dominion Energy’s EnergyShare Program to begin making energy-efficient improvements to her home.
“It’s about sustainability, right," said Nikki Taylor, the manager of Dominion Energy's EnergyShare Program. "Not just the environment, but also we want to make sure that once we help her, she’s not going to find herself in the same situation.”
On Thursday, Atlantic Spray Systems installed energy efficiency measures in the home. It includes upgrading the electrical panel, installing a new heat pump and duct work, replacing lighting and outlets as well as bathroom fans, installing a new thermostat and attic insulation, providing air sealing and weather-stripping on the front door, installing gutters – previously ripped off by tree – and cleaning out the crawlspace.
Dominion Energy volunteers assisted with the cleanup of an overgrown brush and tree removal in the backyard. They also replaced a broken fence and gate as well as replaced rotting wood on her porch and trim of her home. This is part of a special partnership with the hosts behind the Cousinz Festival.
“Cousinz is about bringing people together,” said Grammy-nominated artist Pusha T, one of the festival's hosts. The festival is set to place on August 31 at the Scope Arena in Norfolk.
“Hopefully it’s a ripple effect,” said Rapper Fam-Lay, another festival co-host. “Once they see this, they’ll be inspired to continue to do more things and pay it forward.”
Bailey was brought to tears, overwhelmed by this support.
“It makes me feel important,” she said. “Because I’m the queen now.”