For many, nighttime AC is a luxury

 As St. Mary sweltered in mid-90-degree temperatures over the last week, the impact was felt by some more than others.
A survey by Advance America found that more than 129,000 Louisiana regularly go without air conditioning at night, often to save money.
For millions of families, the decision to turn on the air conditioning this summer isn’t about comfort; it’s a financial calculation.
The survey of 3,011 households found that 24% of households with income of less than $50,000 switch off the AC for an average of 11 nights per month, even during the summer.
The findings are based on a July 2026 survey combined with survey data with the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 Local Air Conditioning Estimates to project the scale of the issue nationally and by state.
Turning off the air conditioner may lower the energy bill, but the savings can come at the expense of a good night’s sleep.
More than two-thirds of Louisiana respondents said limiting their air conditioning at night negatively affects their sleep; 37% said they sleep much worse, and a further 32% sleep slightly worse. Just 9% said they sleep better without it.
When asked what they experienced while sleeping without air conditioning because of the cost, respondents reported:
•22% experienced excessive sweating
•21% had difficulty falling asleep
•19% woke repeatedly during the night
•10% felt irritable the next day
•6% experienced headaches
•5% had difficulty concentrating
•4% said their children struggled to sleep
Concern about cooling costs is widespread: 7 in 10 respondents are at least somewhat concerned about the cost of keeping their homes cool this summer. For some, that pressure has already spilled over into other areas of the monthly budget: more than one-quarter (27%) said they have delayed paying another household bill to afford running their air conditioning.
2% had missed work or arrived late as a result. Only 8% said sleeping without air conditioning had no noticeable effects.
The findings suggest cooling costs are tied to more than just comfort, as poor sleep can affect concentration, mood, parenting, and the ability to work the following day.
Despite the potential health risks associated with extreme indoor temperatures, 22% of respondents said they had felt their home was dangerously hot but still avoided using the air conditioning because of the cost.
Maintaining a cooling system can create an additional financial hurdle. Nearly one-third (30%) said they had delayed repairing or replacing an air-conditioning system because they could not afford the work.
Air-conditioning use is also becoming a source of household friction. Almost one-third said arguments over the thermostat had caused tension at home:
•11% said it happens frequently
•21% said it happens occasionally
•23% said it happens rarely
•45% said it has never caused tension
Whether the disagreement is over the bill, the temperature, or who touched the thermostat last, cooling has become another household expense that families must negotiate together.
When asked what they would give up for one month to afford air conditioning during an especially hot summer, respondents most often chose takeout meals (selected by 31%). New clothes came second at 19%, followed by streaming subscriptions at 17%.
The full breakdown:
•Takeout meals: 31%
•New clothes: 19%
•Streaming subscriptions: 17%
•Vacation or travel plans: 14%
•Social activities: 13%
•Personal savings: 6%
While most respondents chose discretionary spending, the fact that 6% would dip into their savings underscores how essential air conditioning has become during periods of extreme heat.
“No family should have to choose between staying cool and keeping up with their bills, but for millions of households, that’s exactly the situation,” said Laura McCutcheon, vice president of marketing at Advance America. “Eleven nights a month without air conditioning isn’t a minor inconvenience. It affects sleep, health, workplace performance, and even family relationships.
“Cooling costs have become one of the quieter financial pressures of summer, and we wanted to put real numbers behind something a lot of families are already living.”