Free Air Conditioners Available for Eligible New Yorkers This Summer
This summer, New York residents may qualify for a free air conditioner to help with the heat.
According to the City of New York, the cooling assistance benefit covers the full cost of one air conditioner or fan per household, including materials, installation, labor, and removal of old units.
The benefit covers up to $800 for a portable air conditioner, window unit, or fan, and up to $1,000 for an existing wall sleeve unit.
Applications opened on April 15 and are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
The 2026 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Summer Cooling Assistance also aligns with Local Law 23, which requires owners of tenant-occupied buildings to provide cooling systems to residents who request them by June 1, 2030. It also requires landlords who control indoor temperatures to keep them at or below 78 degrees during summer months, from June 15 to Sept. 15.
New Yorkers can apply online through ACCESS HRA. For more information or to apply by phone, call 718-557-1399 or visit the NYS OTDA website at:
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