Woman receives free furnace through Heat Up Wisconsin program

DOUSMAN (WITI) -- The Heat Up Wisconsin program awards free, high-efficiency Lennox gas furnaces to those in need throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. One of this year's recipients was 98-year-old Augusta Borck of Dousman.

Borck's family submitted her story into the program after realizing just how long she'd had her old furnace.

"She had the furnace for 39 years and she never had it replaced or anything," said Borck's son, Bill Merz.

Most furnaces last about 15 years.

Kettle Moraine Heating and Air Conditioning receives hundreds of entries for the program. Co-owner Bill Brink says he was moved when he read the letter Borck's son wrote.

"We take entries all year long. In September we stop and review everyone who submitted stores on friends, family members," explained Brink. "To be able to help someone like that, who doesn't have the monetary means to do something like that, it's very important.

The new unit will save Borck money on her monthly electric bills, as well as keep her warm through the rough Wisconsin winter.

"It will help us, too, not having to worry about the furnace going out all the time," said Merz.

75 other homes throughout Wisconsin and the UP will receive new furnace installations thanks to the program, which is in its 4th year. Lennox has donated more than $1 million toward the cause.