Find a Free Air Conditioner near you! Many organization are working with the government in 2023, to give an air conditioner free, to people with physical challenges and older adults, and low-income individuals who can’t afford an A/C unit.
Fortunately, the government and some charities have programs where people can get free A/C. Also, some charities offer free air conditioners to at-risk people.  If you are interested in getting a free AC unit this summer, let’s look at the types of programs.
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Get A Free Air Conditioner from the Government
The government has released a lot of money for state and local programs. Low-income, older adults and people with disabilities have an excellent opportunity to receive an air conditioner for free.Â
The first thing you want to do is to know where to apply locally. Call – 866-674-6325 to find out where and how to apply to the free air conditioner program.
Of course, Check out these non-government programs below in his article, and you will get an idea about the free AC services. If you want to apply for one, ensure you have the proper documents to prove your income and disability.
12 Free Air Conditioner Programs
The summer months become merciless when people need to save themselves from the excruciating heat. Here an air conditioner plays the most critical role.
It keeps medically challenged people from having heat strokes. Upper-class to middle-income groups can afford an air conditioner or two for their house, but what about the those living at or belowt he poverty line, and older adults that people with disabilities in the US?
1. Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)Â
HEAP, or the Home Energy Assistance Program, is one of the free AC-providing programs in the country.
This program is established by the New York State Government, which offers AC for low-income people. You will qualify depending on your gross monthly income.
The Free program can benefit patients whose health might deteriorate due to heart conditions. You must be eligible for the requirements to apply for the program.
The HEAP and LIHEAP programs offer $800 as the AC installation charge. If there is a problem with the installation, they offer a fan.
This cooling assistance program is primarily for low-income families who cannot afford AC machines with meager salaries. This is also for the medical needs of patients.
2. The DOE Program
The United States Department of Energy sponsors this program, offering to pay for the AC of low-income families.
If you and older person, you may get a new unit, or you can repair your old machine. The availability depends on the rules of the state. For this, you must be eligible for the following:
- You must be a US citizen Â
- Your income must be a minimum wage
- You will not be able to get other benefits from the start when you apply for a free AC. You must not own another unit or should have a five-year-old AC.
3. Weatherization Assistance ProgramÂ
This energy assistance program offers free AC for low-income families. They will help you stabilize your home’s environment and keep costs low.
Get in touch with the local weatherization program to get a free machine for this program. The application will take less than twenty minutes and then be reviewed for eligibility. If you pass the criteria, you will receive a free AC.
4. Free Air Conditioners from Churches
Low-income group people can try to get free AC from churches. Your local church sometimes offers to pay for the unit. This is mainly because people of faith donate a lot to these places. From that source, the churches provide such assistance to underprivileged people.
You can get a free AC unit other than the money for an AC. However, you might not get these benefits if you are not a churchgoer or a non-believer. So, to get one life-saving machine, you must attend their services for some weeks at least.
5. Get a Free Air Conditioner from Thrift Stores
You may get a free AC from your local thrift stores like Goodwill, Salvation Army, and St. Vincent de Paul Society. These places often have the latest models of appliances, and they tend to give away the old units. Contact these stores run by charities.
They will donate the old ones to the new, replacing phones. You can contact the local stores to get a unit for your home. You may need a referral from a community organization. However, you will have to carry the machine by yourself.
6. Free AC for Disabled People
There are several options to get free AC for disabled people. You may get a low-cost unit from thrift stores besides government programs.Â
Some non-governmental places often hold AC giveaway programs for disabled people. This is for the people who cannot finance an air conditioner, and they get support from local churches, non-profit charities, and other places.
It’s hard to live with a physical challenged. When the summer heat is too much, it becomes unbearable, primarily for those living with a disability.
For this reason, non-profit organizations and the government conduct a free conditioner program to help from time to time.
7. Free Air Conditioner for Older Adults
LIHEAP is helping mature adults with utility assistance for the free air conditioner program. They are assisting older adults in getting the advantage of this program.
Old and people living with a disability from extreme heat conditions in the harsh summer months. This is also for the case of low-income groups of families living with older adults.
The program provides better help to people over 65Â who cannot finance an AC and need to stay safe inside their homes within the care of a cool temperature. The unit will run as a heater if the weather is cold outside.
8. Free A/C Unit from Saint Vincent de Paul Society
This society is a voluntary organization that helps people in need. They also organize free air conditioner programs.
You will get a unit if you can provide proof of your condition. This is for families who live in a small places without enough finances to afford an AC.
After you apply for the free service, you will receive an appointment. If you get selected, you will get a free AC.
You have to remember that two people from the same family cannot get this grant. There must be one unit in a single house. The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul also offers sick and senior people the same service.
9. Salvation Army Free Air Conditioner
This is available from family service programs. You can also get installation assistance. These machines are offered to low-income families at a lower cost. You may receive one from a Salvation Army organization, which provides the same for people living at or below the poverty guidelines. Â
In case of emergencies, some places offer a unit for free. A Salvation Army center can provide a free air conditioner to a family or older adults who cannot finance such things.
This is also eligible for a single mother with a child or a kid with a severe sickness. These people are most in danger of heatstroke in the harsh summer months. So, Salvation Army centers may offer free air conditioners to give those some comfort.
These units are easy to mount on the window and any other designated place in the house. The AC provided by the Salvation Army centers isn’t available at thrift shops. However, you can get a fan if the air conditioners aren’t available. You can contact such centers near you for more information.
10. Free Air Conditioner for the Sick
Every year hundreds of people get sick of the unbearable summer heat. Also, people already suffering from illness need to stay in a relaxed and comfortable environment.
Unfortunately, many sick people can’t afford AC, and governments often provide a free program. As sick people need to stay isolated from others, the government and non-profit agencies offer free AC services.
Accessible units are available for people with asthma, joint pains, and other medical conditions. Few governmental offices provide free AC for patients. To receive these services, you need to get in touch with the health assistance in your locality.
You need to apply for the grant and submit some documents. After you submit the same, it will be reviewed for eligibility. You will get a call from the service center if you are eligible. You can always get a new air conditioner from these programs.
11. Energy Star Tax Credit Program
This is, however, not a government program, but it can always get free AC from this. First, you can get ten percent off the cost of the unit. You might get a discount of $50 to $300 based on your living standards. Sometimes you can even get $500, but this will be for an actual need.
The Energy Star Tax Credit program depends on how you have previously paid your taxes. Also, the grants are qualified for AC and HVAC units with energy stars.
Apply for the Energy program by filling out an application on the sites owned by the government, and you have to submit some required documents.  The company will contact you if you are eligible for the free unit. For more information, you have to visit their official website.
12. Get Free Air Conditioners from Craigslist
Craigslist is very popular in the USA. You can often find many things you need for your household and the locality. The site offers advertisers, and you can request items here.
Many people donate stuff like AC through Craigslist, and you will find a unit easily from here for free. You have to search for a free air conditioner on craigslist.
New York Cooling Assistance Benefit
Many people who live in New York City and New York State are unaware that they may qualify for a free air conditioner for up to $800!
Yes, you can get a free air conditioner. Of course, not everyone does qualify, but we will tell you below if your family is eligible.
You qualify if you have not received an air conditioner from the government.
- you receive SSI, Temporary Assistance, or SNAP
- presently receive Heap benefits and live in City Housing
- are a Citizen or legal immigrant
- you do not presently have A/C for five years
What kind of proof to bring when you apply
- proof of identity
- where you live
- your household incomeÂ
- your citizenship or legal immigration status
- poof of disability
Why can I apply?
You can apply from May 2 – August 31, 2022.  You can also apply in person or by phone. Call HEAP at 212-331-3126 to get an application. You can also mail your completed application to the following address:
Mail your completed application to:
New York City Home Energy Assistance Program
P.O. Box 1401, Church Street Station
New York, NY, 10008
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