California is confronting a growing crisis as extreme heat days have increased significantly while electricity costs remain prohibitively high for many residents. Data from the Environmental Working Group shows that extreme and major heat advisory days—those posing health risks to people without adequate cooling—jumped an average of 55% statewide over the last two decades, with regional increases ranging from 30% to 145%. The state’s counties now average 191 days annually, or 52.3% of the year, experiencing major or extreme heat risk conditions.
The financial burden of staying cool has become substantial. California families collectively spend $4 billion yearly on home air conditioning, with individual utility bills rising by $95 to $800 annually for cooling alone. Nearly 7 million ratepayers already carry utility debt while paying some of the nation’s highest electricity rates. This dynamic has created a dire situation for many households, forcing residents to choose between risking dangerous heat exposure or incurring debt through cooling expenses.
Access to air conditioning varies significantly across the state. Approximately 78.61% of California households have access to air conditioning devices, but availability differs substantially by region and housing type. Coastal communities, traditionally mild and less equipped for heat management, show concerning disparities—San Francisco has air conditioning in only 35% of homes compared to 92% in inland counties. Renters face particular challenges, with only 64% of multi-unit apartments having air conditioning versus 80% of single-family homes statewide.
Health experts warn that extreme heat poses serious risks, particularly for vulnerable populations including pregnant women and children with asthma. The Environmental Working Group is advocating for policy solutions to expand access to customer-sited solar systems, such as rooftop and balcony solar installations, which can substantially reduce or eliminate cooling costs. The group supports SB 868, pending in the state Assembly, which would streamline regulatory barriers to solar adoption for renters and homeowners alike.
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