U.S. Air Conditioning Costs Climb to 12-Year High Amid Rising Heat and Electricity Prices
- brg_news_room
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
US: Air conditioning costs across the U.S. are expected to soar this summer, reaching their highest level in 12 years—and possibly a record high—due to increasing electricity prices and extreme heat driven by climate change. According to a joint statement from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) and the Center for Energy Poverty and Climate (CEPC), the average household electricity cost for cooling is projected to hit USD 784, a 6.2% increase from USD 737 last year. After adjusting for inflation, this represents a 4.2% rise. The Northeast, South Central, and South Atlantic regions are expected to face the highest average cooling costs as summer temperatures continue to climb nationwide.
Two main factors are fueling this surge: electricity prices are outpacing average inflation, and more intense, prolonged heatwaves are increasing demand for air conditioning. The burden falls especially hard on low-income families—nearly 20% of whom have no air conditioning. Low-income households spend about 8.6% of their income on energy, nearly three times the 3.0% rate for non-low-income families. Alarmingly, 25.3% of households reported being unable to pay their energy bill for at least one month in the past year, up from 21.4% previously.
Only 26 states and Washington, D.C. will offer cooling assistance this summer, and just 17 states plus the capital will have protections against utility shutoffs during heatwaves. This leaves low-income families in 33 states without protection against life-threatening heat exposure. With over 700 annual deaths in the U.S. from extreme heat, the risks are real. At the same time, energy debt continues to grow, with U.S. households owing a total of USD 24 billion in unpaid utility bills as of March 2025—up from USD 17.5 billion in January 2023. One in six households is currently behind on payments. NEADA and CEPC warn that the situation could be deadly for many low-income Americans this summer.
Source: Independent UK
