California’s Extreme Heat, Soaring Utility Bills Make Cooling Unaffordable For Millions

A new report from the Environmental Working Group finds that extreme heat in California is rising fast, but many households can't afford to run air conditioning to stay safe from it. Days with "extreme" or "major" heat risk have jumped 55% statewide over the past two decades, with some areas seeing much bigger increases — San Francisco saw a 145% jump, Sacramento County 111%. At the same time, California families spend about $4 billion a year on home cooling, adding $95 to $800 to yearly utility bills. Roughly 7 million ratepayers are already behind on their utility bills, forcing many to choose between running the AC and falling further into debt.

Access to cooling isn't equal. Only 70% of coastal households have air conditioning, compared with 92% inland, and in San Francisco it's as low as 35%. Renters are also worse off: 64% of apartments have AC versus 80% of single-family homes.

The report points to home solar as a way to cut or eliminate cooling costs. A typical rooftop solar system can generate enough power to cover a year of central air conditioning, and even a small balcony solar unit (a plug-in panel that mounts outside an apartment) can offset what a window AC unit uses. EWG is backing a California bill, SB 868, that would make it easier for both renters and homeowners to install these systems. The bill has passed the state Senate and is now before the Assembly.