Why air conditioning is slipping out of reach for many Americans

By Hai Long September 4, 2025 | 06:59 pm PT

One in five of the lowest-income U.S. households have no air conditioning. Illustration photo by Pixabay

Skyrocketing electricity prices mean millions of Americans perforce sweat through heat waves without air conditioning.

In New Orleans, Louisiana State, the heat is unrelenting and locals often joke that it is summer most of the year.

Jeffrey Elder, medical director for emergency management at the University Medical Center New Orleans, says heat strokes are common every summer.

"It could be someone who's elderly who just doesn't use air conditioning or can't, or something's broken, and they are home alone and are later found by someone in an altered state of heatstroke," he told BBC.

As climate change causes global temperatures to rise and heatwaves become more frequent, experts warn that Americans are facing more severe health risks because the rising electricity costs make air conditioning unaffordable for many.

In 2020 nearly 34 million U.S. households could not afford basic energy needs like air conditioning and heating, according to the U.S. Energy Information Association.

Mark Wolfe, executive director of the educational and policy organization National Energy Assistance Directors Association (Neada), said concerns about prolonged heat only popped up in recent years.

"A couple years ago you'd have a heatwave that lasted maybe a day or two. You can be in an overheated apartment for a day. You can't be in it for a week. If you're in it for a week, you can die."

In 2020 some 25 million households cut back on food or medicine to pay energy bills, while 12 million had their power cut off because of unpaid bills.

One in five of the lowest-income U.S. households have no air conditioning, while 30% depend on windows for natural cooling, according to The Guardian.

Up to 60% of households struggle with daily basic needs, and one in three skip essentials like food or medicine to pay energy bills and keep the power on, it said.

In 2025 U.S. households will face the highest cooling bills in 12 years, according to a report by Neada and non-profit research organisation Center for Energy Poverty and Climate. The average yearly electric bill is projected at $784, up 6.2% from 2024.