Cooling regulations fall short as temperatures continue to rise

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) – Recent statistics from The Pontes Group show a concerning lack of cooling resources, even as air conditioning is becoming more important than ever with increasing summer heat.

The summer of 2023 brought a record high in temperatures that had not been seen in 2000 years.

High temperatures present health risks, heat stroke, cardiovascular problems, and respiratory issues are especially dangerous to the elderly, pregnant, and those with preexisting conditions. The CDC states that around 1,220 people per year are killed by extreme heat in the United States.

Around 13 percent of US homeowners do not have air conditioning, and renters are more likely to lack it than homeowners. Protection from cold weather is often prioritized over overheating.

Winter spending currently consumes 80% of the funding allocated to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program, with a much lower distribution during the summer. Statistics also show that 41 states present customers with protection from utility shut-offs if a bill is missed during the extreme cold, while only 18 states provide the same for shut-offs in high temperatures.

However, proposed plans for heat protection have raised concerns that include opposition from landlord groups and worries about hefty costs that could potentially fall on tenants. Policymakers are quoted to be “lagging behind” on regulations having to do with cooling, and many states lack those regulations entirely. In such extreme temperatures, air conditioning is crucial, and its absence could prove fatal for many.