More Than 400,000 New York Households Are Skipping Air Conditioning to Save Money

Our air conditioner recently died during one of the hottest stretches of the summer. There was no warning. It simply stopped working, and the temperature inside our house climbed above 90 degrees.

For five days, we closed the blinds, pointed fans in every direction, and avoided turning on anything that might create more heat. I even moved my office into the basement, where it was slightly cooler.

Sleeping was the worst part. I woke up sweaty, tired, and annoyed to be awake again. We were miserable, but we knew a technician was coming. There was an end in sight.

That experience made the results of a new study hit differently. Hundreds of thousands of New York families are reportedly spending hot summer nights without air conditioning because they are afraid they can't afford to run it.

More Than 400,000 New York Households Are Limiting AC Use

Research from Advance America estimates that 19 percent of low-income New York households regularly turn off their air conditioning at night to save money. That represents approximately 402,209 households statewide.

Among families limiting their air conditioning, the average household goes without it for 11 nights each month.

Cooling Costs Are Forcing Families to Delay Other Bills

Seven out of 10 people surveyed said they were concerned about the cost of keeping their homes cool. More than one quarter said they had delayed paying another household bill so they could afford to use their air conditioning.

For a family already watching every dollar, running the AC might mean buying fewer groceries, delaying a prescription refill, or hoping there is enough gas in the car to make it until payday.

Air conditioning may once have been viewed as an extra. When the temperature inside a home passes 90 degrees, it becomes a health and safety issue.

Hot New York Homes Are Hurting Sleep and Health

More than two-thirds of respondents said limiting their air conditioning made their sleep worse. They reported excessive sweating, headaches, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and repeatedly waking during the night.

I understand that part. After several nights in a house above 90 degrees, I was exhausted and not functioning normally.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using fans only when indoor temperatures are below 90 degrees. Above that point, a fan can increase body temperature.

Older adults, young children, people with chronic health conditions, and those who live alone face greater risks during extreme heat. Checking on someone when temperatures climb can be just as important as checking on them during an Upstate New York snowstorm.

New Yorkers Can Find Cooling Centers and Energy Assistance

New York’s HEAP Cooling Assistance Benefit can help eligible households purchase and install an air conditioner or fan. However, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance says the benefit closed for the season on June 5, 2026.

Income-eligible households may still qualify for improvements through NYSERDA’s EmPower+ program, including insulation, air sealing, and certain heating and cooling upgrades.

If your home becomes dangerously hot, use New York’s Cooling Center Finder, call 211, or contact your county health department. Libraries, community centers, and other air-conditioned public buildings may also provide relief.

When our air conditioner stopped working, I knew help was coming. This study made me think about families who have no repair appointment on the calendar because they cannot afford to make one.

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For them, the question is not whether the house feels comfortable. It is how much heat the family can endure before turning on the air conditioner becomes worth another bill they may not be able to pay.