As fall temperatures cool much of the United States, the summer of 2026 was noted as the warmest on record in the contiguous U.S. Cities are now evaluating whether residents should have a right to air conditioning. Stephanie Sy reports on the issue as part of the series, Tipping Point.
This past July, New York City experienced a record-breaking heat wave. Brianna Styles, a 22-year-old resident, described her struggle without air conditioning in her Brooklyn apartment, which became so hot that the paint began to peel. Styles, who is unemployed and unable to afford a window air conditioning unit, is among nearly 10 percent of New Yorkers lacking access to air conditioning. In some lower-income neighborhoods, nearly 25 percent of households do not have air conditioning.
Styles reported that her son suffered from a heat rash and numerous mosquito bites due to the extreme heat. Lincoln Restler, a New York City Council Member, stated that approximately 580 people die each year in New York City from extreme heat, often due to a lack of cooling in their homes.
Starting in 2030, a new law will require New York City landlords to provide cooling systems that maintain a temperature of 78 degrees in sleeping areas during peak summer months. While most tenants will pay for the energy used, public housing authorities are largely exempt from this mandate.
Caleb Smith, policy manager for WE ACT for Environmental Justice, emphasized that the law addresses essential needs in a warming climate. Researchers predict that by the 2050s, New York City could experience eight times as many days with temperatures above 95 degrees due to climate change.
Smith argued that just as heating is mandated to prevent freezing, cooling should be similarly required to protect residents from extreme heat.
Other cities, including Phoenix, New Orleans, and Dallas, have implemented cooling requirements, and this summer, Spokane, Washington, and Houston passed measures establishing a right to air conditioning for renters.
Grace Wickerson from the Federation of American Scientists noted that high nighttime temperatures can disrupt sleep and lead to various health issues. She highlighted the need for policies addressing the health impacts of extreme heat.
However, some landlords oppose the new requirements. Kenny Burgos, CEO of the New York Apartment Association, argued that placing the burden on property owners is not the appropriate approach. He pointed out that many landlords manage older buildings and face rising operational costs, which complicates compliance with new mandates.
Burgos also raised concerns about whether the city's infrastructure can support the addition of numerous air conditioning units, as they could increase carbon emissions, conflicting with existing climate change reduction laws.
Advocates suggest that a right to air conditioning should be accompanied by subsidies for energy-efficient devices and weatherization to mitigate carbon impacts. Diana Hernandez, a public health professor at Columbia University, noted that one in five New Yorkers struggle to pay utility bills. She cited data showing that in Arizona, 75 percent of indoor deaths occur in homes with air conditioning units, often due to reluctance to use them due to high costs.
Styles applied for a free air conditioning unit through a state program but did not receive a response. She expressed concern about the potential increase in her electric bill if she were to acquire a unit, emphasizing her child's need for relief from the heat.
As summer ends in New York City, the challenges posed by extreme weather continue to be a pressing issue.