SAN ANTONIO — Rising energy costs can be rough for homeowners, especially if their home isn’t weatherized.

“It’s fun to get together,” said Jane Garcia.

Garcia often hosts her family in her living room. She lives with her daughter and grandkids on the Far West Side of San Antonio.

“When I got my bills [for] $400 for three months in a row in the summer, I thought, ‘I got to do something, something’s wrong,'” Garcia said.

Garcia says she owed nearly $1,500 over three months.  

“Big chunks out of my savings,” she said.

That’s when a friend suggested CPS Energy’s Casa Verde program, which allows contractors to make energy-saving home improvements for income-qualified customers.

“Casa Verde is focused specifically on equity,” said Rudy Garza, president and CEO of CPS Energy. “Lowering the energy burden amongst the most vulnerable residents.”

Garcia was the 30,000th customer to get her home weatherized, a milestone worth celebrating.

“I was very happy with what they did,” Garcia said.

CPS says the average homeowner gets $4,500 in weatherization improvements, which can save them about $450 annually in energy costs.

“These are the solar screens we installed on the houses. They are meant to take 80% of the sun heat away from the house,” said Mario Tamez, a CPS contractor.

Contractors say switching to LED lightbulbs and adding insulation throughout the attic will help the Garcias conserve energy — small changes with bigger implications in Texas.

“This isn’t just helping you lower your bill. This is contributing to our state having a more stable grid,” said Mario Bravo, San Antonio District 1 city council member. "It’s going to prevent rolling blackouts.”

Proper weatherization can help reduce energy usage during heat waves and extreme cold snaps. Over the next three to five years, CPS plans to invest $82.5 million to improve 16,000 homes and 20,000 apartment units.

“It’s also an investment the future,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “Lower demand on energy to help reduce emissions.”

After the improvements, Garcia says her bill is already lower.

“I’m sure it’s not going to go up to $400 again,” she said.