Free air conditioners and cooling equipment — where to apply and who qualifies
Free and low-cost air conditioners may be available through government programs, local charities, utility companies, and community organizations. Seniors, people with medical conditions made worse by heat, young children, and low-income households are typically the priority for these programs. Units are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and programs exhaust their funding each season. Applying as early in spring as possible — before summer heat arrives — gives you the best chance.
This page covers the main sources of help. For assistance paying the cooling electric bill rather than obtaining a unit, see the cooling bill assistance page.
- NOTE: Cooling equipment programs are seasonal and funded at varying levels each year. What is available in your state depends on current funding and how quickly supplies run out. Contact programs in early spring rather than waiting until summer. The information on this page is for general guidance; confirm current availability directly with each organization.
Federal and state government programs
The main federal program is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known nationally as LIHEAP. States receive LIHEAP funding and design their own programs, so what is available — including whether free air conditioners or fans are distributed — varies from state to state. Your state may call this program something different: as an example is known as HEAP in New York, the Energy Assistance Program in some states, and by other names elsewhere. When you call a local office, ask about any summer cooling equipment program regardless of what name it goes by.
- Some state LIHEAP programs provide window or portable air conditioning units directly to qualifying households, particularly those with elderly members, infants, or residents with a documented medical condition requiring cooling. Others provide fans or a credit toward purchasing equipment. Still others focus exclusively on bill payment with no equipment distribution. Contact your local LIHEAP office to find out what your state currently offers.
- To find your local LIHEAP or energy assistance office, visit USA.gov at https://www.usa.gov/help-with-energy-bills or call the National Energy Assistance Referral hotline at 1-866-674-6327, weekdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern. Applications typically open in spring, and cooling assistance funds are often gone before summer ends. We also have a guide to LIHEAP for paying energy bills, including information for all states.
The Weatherization Assistance Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Energy, takes a different approach. Rather than distributing units, it sends a certified contractor to assess your home and make improvements — which can include repairing or replacing a non-functioning central air system. This program is for homeowners and renters at or below a certain income threshold and is free to qualifying households. If your central air system has broken and needs replacement rather than a window unit, weatherization is often the stronger option to pursue alongside LIHEAP.
Charities and local nonprofits
The Salvation Army will try to distribute fans and window air conditioning units through some of its local service centers during summer months. Not every location participates, and what is offered varies — some centers have units available, others provide fans or emergency financial assistance for cooling equipment. Contact your nearest Salvation Army service center directly and ask what summer cooling help is currently available. See the Salvation Army assistance programs guide on this site.
Area Agencies on Aging operate cooling programs in many communities, often partnering with local HVAC companies and donors to distribute free window units or fans to seniors. These programs prioritize older adults who live alone and those with medical conditions that make heat dangerous. The NHPB senior assistance programs page on this site has information on how to locate the Area Agency on Aging nearest you.
Community action agencies are one of the most important local contacts for cooling equipment, whether AC units or something else. They often process LIHEAP and weatherization applications, maintain their own emergency assistance funds that sometimes cover cooling equipment purchases, and know what other locally funded programs exist that may not appear anywhere online. The NHPB community action agency page explains how these organizations work and how to find one.
Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul, and local churches often operate summer cooling programs in many cities, distributing fans and window units to people in financial hardship. Availability varies by location and by the season's donation levels. TIP: Contact local chapters in spring rather than during peak summer heat, when supplies are typically exhausted.
Furniture banks and appliance distribution programs sometimes have used or refurbished window air conditioners available at low or no cost. The free appliances page on this site covers these programs.
Your utility company
Many electric utilities maintain low-income programs that go beyond bill assistance and include equipment distribution. Some distribute free fans or window units to qualifying customers during heat emergencies. Others partner with state programs on energy-efficiency upgrades that include cooling equipment. Call the number on your electric bill and ask specifically about any summer cooling assistance or appliance distribution program for income-qualified customers. These programs are not always advertised.
What to have ready when you apply
Most cooling assistance programs require a photo ID, proof of address, proof of household income, and your utility account information. Programs that prioritize medical need will ask for a written statement from a physician. Documented conditions such as COPD, asthma, heart disease, or medications affected by heat can significantly increase priority.
Having documentation ready before you call avoids delays — intake workers can often move faster when a caller has what they need in hand. TIP: Ask if the agency has a waitlist or cancellation list. Some households receive units after others decline or cannot be reached.
Community forum — cooling assistance experiences from around the country
People who have been through the process of finding a free air conditioner often know details that program listings do not — which local agencies had units available, how early to apply, and what documentation moved their application forward. The site's moderated community forum has a thread where people share their experiences finding cooling help across the country. See the free or low-cost AC unit thread for details - registration is free and all content is moderated.
Local Programs
The following areas have dedicated local programs with more detailed information on how to apply. There are organizations in local communities that may provide cooling equipment, ranging from fans to air conditioners, directly to qualified people that live within their communities. Availability, eligibility rules, and application requirements vary by location, organization and area. Select an area below.
Atlanta GA area
Cincinnati OH area
Cleveland OH area and all surrounding counties
Delaware
El Paso County TX
Gwinnet County GA
Kansas City MO area
Las Vegas
Louisville
Myrtle Beach and Conway SC area
New York State
Oklahoma
Omaha NE area
Pennsylvania
Portland Oregon region (all counties)
Raleigh NC area
St. Louis Missouri (and surrounding area)
Tennessee
Texas
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