What Is New York's New Free Air Conditioner Initiative And Who Qualifies?

If you've been struggling to stay cool in your New York apartment without air conditioning or you're noticing signs your air conditioner is just too old, help may be on the way. The best part? It won't cost you a penny. Governor Kathy Hochul has launched a new initiative, similar to Texas' new AC initiative, that offers free air conditioners to eligible New Yorkers. It's in perfect timing for what's supposed to be one of the warmest summers to date, but you have to qualify.

According to the New York State of Health, the Essential Plan Cooling Program is limited to those enrolled in the State of Health's Essential Plan. On top of that, you must be dealing with persistent asthma. This means you experience asthmatic symptoms most of the time and require some type of medication to alleviate the symptoms. And finally, you are not eligible if you have received a cooling unit within the past five years through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Cooling Program. The initiative was created with vulnerable New Yorkers in mind and to guard them and protect their homes from the dangers of extreme heat.

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you're ready to apply for the Essential Plan Cooling Program. It's important to act quickly as the program is a first-come, first-served basis. While it officially runs until August 31, 2025, once funds run out the application will close. The application is straightforward and simple enough that it should take you less than 10 minutes to complete. You can find the link to the application on the New York State of Health website.

The application will ask for basic information like an e-mail address and permanent home address associated with your NY State of Health account, but you'll also need to provide your NY State of Health account number and Marketplace ID. So, make sure you have this information readily available. Once the application is submitted, you can expect a response via email within three weeks. Approved applicants will be instructed on how to contact a participating vendor. The vendor will assist the applicant in scheduling two separate appointments: one is a pre-installation assessment and the second is the installation service. Once the installation appointment is complete, the air conditioning unit is yours.