Extreme heat kills. In Maricopa County, Arizona, 608 heat-related deaths were confirmed in 2024, one of the highest totals on record.
And when the cost of protecting oneself from the heat rises faster than wages, the problem ceases to be merely a climate issue and becomes a social crisis.
This is the conclusion of a new report from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) and the Center for Energy Poverty and Climate (CEPC).
The analysis warns that households will face an average increase of 8.5% in their electricity expenses during the summer season in 2026.
In real terms: the average cost of cooling a home between June and September will reach $778, the highest level recorded to date.
This figure alone is alarming. But the real problem emerges when you analyze the context: since 2020, residential cooling costs have increased by more than 37%.
For low- and middle-income families, like millions of Hispanic households, the situation is even worse: they already face an energy burden 20% higher than that of white households.
Rising electricity prices, increased demand for cooling, limited access to air conditioning, and insufficient federal and state assistance programs are conspiring to deepen the affordability crisis.
What can be done?
While this is a structural problem that demands solutions through public policy, here are 5 ideas to reduce your energy bill this summer.
- Use air conditioning wisely. Set your thermostat between 24°C and 26°C (75°F–78°F) when you’re home. Every degree lower can increase electricity consumption. If you have ceiling fans, use them in conjunction with your air conditioner to better distribute the cool air.
- Block the sun’s heat. Keep curtains, blinds, or blackout curtains closed during the hottest hours of the day, especially on windows that receive direct sunlight.
- Unplug appliances when not in use. Many devices continue to consume energy even when turned off: chargers, televisions, microwaves, game consoles, etc.
- Avoid generating heat inside your home. Instead of the oven, use microwaves, electric grills, air fryers, or cook early in the morning or evening. It also helps to wash clothes and use the dryer outside of the hottest hours.
- Improve home efficiency. Change air conditioner filters and seal air leaks around doors and windows. A well-insulated home allows you to maintain comfortable temperatures while using less energy and paying less on your bill.
Energy-saving measures can help alleviate immediate pressure on households, but they do not replace the need for stronger public policies that expand energy assistance, strengthen infrastructure, and protect the most vulnerable communities. Because when surviving the heat depends on the size of the electricity bill, inequality also becomes a matter of life or death.
