Air Conditioner Programs for Low-Income Families: Free Units, Cooling Help, and Rebates

Air conditioner programs for low-income families at a glance

There is no single national program that mails free air conditioners. Instead, help comes from several programs that each do a different job. The table shows what each one usually offers and where to ask.

LIHEAP cooling assistance

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a federal block grant run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It can pay for heating, cooling, energy crises, and in many states weatherization and minor repairs. Each state decides how much of its money goes to cooling. Some states run a separate summer cooling program, some fold cooling into crisis help, and some focus almost entirely on winter heating.

States set their own income limits, up to 150% of the federal poverty guidelines or 60% of state median income, whichever is higher. Many states treat households receiving SNAP, SSI, or TANF as automatically eligible, and many give priority to older adults, people with disabilities, and families with young children. For a full overview of how the program works, see our LIHEAP guide.

The LIHEAP Clearinghouse cooling program summaries, a resource funded by HHS, list each state’s summer options. Rules and dates can change each program year, so treat these as a starting point and confirm with your local agency.

Examples of state cooling equipment rules

When we reviewed the Clearinghouse summaries on October 25, 2026, these states described some form of cooling equipment help. Your state may have changed its rules since, and funding often runs out.

Many other states offer summer bill help without equipment. If your state does not provide units, the bill credit can still make running a unit you already own more affordable.

Getting an air conditioner for a medical need

Heat is especially hard on people with heart disease, lung conditions such as asthma or COPD, diabetes, kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, and some mental health conditions, and on people taking medicines that affect how the body handles heat. Many state cooling programs are built around this group.

• Ask your doctor for a letter that names the condition and says air conditioning is needed to protect your health. Some states want the note to be recent.
• Use your state’s form if it has one. The local agency can tell you.
• Ask about installation. Some programs deliver and install the unit; others only provide it.
• Tell your electric company. Many utilities let you register a medical condition, which may give you extra notice or protection before a shutoff.

How weatherization helps keep a home cool

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program pays local agencies to make low-income homes more energy efficient at no cost to the household. Work is chosen through an energy audit and can include insulation, air sealing, and repairs, and in some cases work on heating and cooling systems where it saves enough energy. A tighter, better-insulated home holds cool air longer and costs less to cool.

Weatherization usually has a waiting list, so it is a longer-term fix rather than help for this week’s heat. Households that qualify for LIHEAP, SSI, or TANF are often eligible. Read our weatherization assistance program guide for how to apply.

Heat pump rebates for lower-income households

The Home Energy Rebates program, created by the Inflation Reduction Act and run by state energy offices, includes rebates for electric appliances. Under the federal law, the rebate for a heat pump used for heating or cooling can be up to $8,000, and one household can receive no more than $14,000 across all items.

These rebates are only available in states that have launched their programs, and each state sets its own process and contractor rules. Check the Department of Energy’s Home Energy Rebates page or your state energy office for current status. A heat pump replaces both a furnace and an air conditioner, so it fits best when an old system needs replacing anyway. Our guide to free appliances for low-income families covers the other appliance rebates.

Utility programs and local charities

• Low-income rates: many electric companies offer discounted rates or bill credits for qualifying customers.
• Budget billing: spreads high summer bills across the year.
• Efficiency programs: some utilities offer free home energy checks, rebates on ENERGY STAR room air conditioners, or free units for qualifying households.
• Fan and AC drives: Salvation Army units, Area Agencies on Aging, churches, and local news stations in hot regions sometimes give out fans or window units each summer. Dial 211 to hear what is running near you.
• Area Agencies on Aging: older adults can ask about cooling help and wellness checks during heat waves.

Renting and cooling: what to know

If you rent, ask your landlord before installing a window unit, since some leases limit them for safety reasons. Whether a landlord must provide or repair air conditioning depends on state and local law and your lease; a few cities and states have cooling requirements, but many do not. If an AC that came with your unit breaks, report it in writing and keep a copy. Local legal aid can explain your rights. Renters can still apply for LIHEAP cooling help, and some weatherization providers can work with landlords.

Staying safe while you wait for help

Programs can take weeks, and heat can be dangerous now. Ready.gov advises not relying on a fan as your main cooling device during extreme heat, because fans do not lower body temperature or prevent heat illness.

• Find a cooling center: libraries, malls, and community centers often open as cooling sites. Ask 211 or your local health department.
• Cool your body: take cool showers, drink water, and wear loose, light clothing.
• Block the sun: close blinds and curtains during the day, and use the oven less.
• Check on others: older adults, babies, and people with health conditions are at higher risk.
• Know the warning signs: a body temperature above 103°F, hot dry skin, confusion, or fainting can mean heat stroke. Call 911.

The National Weather Service explains heat advisories and warnings so you know when to move to a cooler place.

Choosing and running a unit on a budget

If you buy or receive a window unit, size it to the room. A unit that is too small runs all day without cooling the room, and one that is too big cycles on and off. ENERGY STAR room air conditioners use less electricity than standard models. Plug the unit directly into a wall outlet rather than an extension cord, clean the filter monthly, and set the thermostat as high as is comfortable. Cooling one room where everyone sleeps costs less than cooling the whole home.

What documents do I need to apply?

Expect to show photo ID, Social Security numbers for the people applying, proof of income for the last 30 days, and proof of where you live, plus any paper that shows the emergency itself. Our document checklist explains what counts for each item and what to do if something is missing. If you don't have everything yet, apply anyway and ask the office how long you have to bring the rest.

How to apply, step by step

1. Call your local community action agency or 1-866-674-6327 and ask whether your state offers cooling bill help, AC units, or fans this year.
2. Ask your doctor for a letter if anyone in the home has a condition made worse by heat.
3. Apply for LIHEAP with proof of income, ID, and a recent electric bill.
4. Ask about weatherization and get on the waiting list.
5. Call your electric company about low-income rates, budget billing, and efficiency programs.
6. Check Home Energy Rebates with your state energy office if your cooling system needs replacing.
7. Dial 211 for fan drives, cooling centers, and charity help.

Related guides

• Air conditioner grants for low-income families
• LIHEAP: how energy assistance works
• Weatherization assistance program
• Free appliances for low-income families

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information. Cooling programs vary by state and by year, and funding is limited. National Relief Program is an independent website and is not a government agency. In a heat emergency, call 911.