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Sarah Dallof ReportingThe hot summer temperatures have really affected a Bountiful boy. He suffers from a rare condition that makes his skin extremely fragile, and he must be wrapped in bandages at all times.
We've introduced you to Zach Troop before, and his condition has caught the attention of many, including a company new to Utah that is helping him and other Utahns who are sensitive to heat stay cool.
Zach Troop is like any kid; he loves playing video games and is still talking about his fifth birthday party. But this summer was hard on Zach. He suffers from Epidermolysis Bullosa, a condition that makes his skin so fragile, he has to be wrapped in special bandages making him sensitive to heat.
His mom, Kadee, says, "When he starts sweating it aggravates his wounds and makes him itch and causes more breakdown."
The family turned up the air conditioning, resulting in bills of $150 a month, and it still wasn't enough. Zach spent little time in his upstairs bedroom.
Brad Troop, Zach's dad, says, "It might be nice and cool for us, he just bakes at night."
Non-profit group Angel's Hands passed on the family's story to Power Zoning, a new Utah company that jumped at the chance to help with their heating and cooling zoning system.
Woody Bates, with Power Zoning, said, "It's kind of like taking a snow globe off the shelf and shaking it; it evens everything out."
Using a secondary air system, Power Zoning pumps the cool air from the basement to upstairs in the summer. During the winter the warm air upstairs is pumped down, using energy more efficiently and lowering energy bills, according to the inventor.
Bates said, "We're estimating around 30-35 percent on energy costs of running your air conditioner and costs on running your furnace."
Brad said, "It's just amazing that there are companies out there that know that as much as they give they'll get a lot back in return."
The Troops plan to save the money to pay for Zach's medical treatments in Colorado. Until then Zach is back in his bedroom and very happy to be there. "There's toys, couches and more fun," he says.
