Life has been a series of tests for Ashley Molock and her 3-year-old daughter, Persephone, but they now have somewhere to rest.
“This journey has taught me patience, confidence, kindness and most of all hope,” said Molock, “and I hope one day Persephone will be proud of me.”
On April 27, Atmos Energy and Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County unveiled the Molocks’ new natural gaspowered Zero Net Energy (ZNE) demonstration home with a dedication ceremony on Burkett Street in Taylor.
“Ms. Molock is the ideal candidate to receive this beautiful threebedroom home,” said Debbie Hoffman, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County, Texas. “Since 2018, she has endured severe health conditions that continue to this day and require help from her family to care for her 3-year-old daughter. This ZNE home will provide Ms. Molock and her family both security and comfort as she manages her health issues.”
In 2019, Molock was 8.5 months pregnant when she suffered two aortic aneurisms. One month after Persephone’s birth, only one aneurism was repaired since it was too dangerous to fix both without risking paralyzing or death.
Shortly after Ashley Molock went through open heart surgery, her mom unexpectedly passed away.
“(April 28) marks four years since she has been gone,” said Molock, “but I know my mom is looking down on me from heaven right now and proud of how far I’ve come and what I’ve accomplished.”
Then, another health struggle hit when Molock suffered a nearly fatal aortic dissection at home and needed another emergency heart surgery to repair it. Doctors told her if she had waited 30 more minutes to seek help, she would have died.
“Most people don’t survive aortic dissections that expands down your legs,” said Molock, “but I’m a living testimony that miracles do happen.”
Family and friends then encouraged her to apply for the Habitat for Humanity program through which she received her home.
“When Linda (Sloan, Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County director of homeowner services) called me last March notifying me that I was one of the chosen families in the program, it was one of the best news of my life,” said Molock. “You gave me more than four walls and a roof. You all gave me a foundation to build my future and, most importantly, Persephone’s future.”
The ZNE home is meant to demonstrate significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions by producing as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year with a rooftop photovoltaic solar system, high-efficiency ENERGY STAR natural gas appliances, top-rated insulation and windows, and other advanced weatherization features.
“Natural gas plays a pivotal role in fueling a low carbon energy future that ensures families have access to safe, reliable, and affordable energy while also protecting and preserving our environment,” said Darwin Stamport, Atmos Energy vice president of marketing. “A perfect example of this initiative in action is our partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County to build an affordable and energy efficient home for the Molock family.”
To build the ZNE home, Habitat for Humanity Williamson County and Atmos Energy collaborated with the Rinnai America Corporation, Taylor’s municipal government, DFD Architects Inc., Yale Locks & Hardware, Kidd Roofing, Whirlpool and Valspar.
“Building an energy efficient home with affordable utility bills is our ultimate goal,” added Stamport. “The energy report for the design of this ZNE home estimates average monthly utility bills at less than $50 combined for both gas and electricity. This will offer peace of mind to Ms. Molock and the opportunity to focus on the health of herself and her family.”
For more information about ZNE homes, visit http://www.atmosenergy.com/ZNE.
