United States (English)Summer's still here, and you know what that means – turning down the thermostat and continuing to run the A/C unit to escape the heat.
But hold up – that cool air might be costing you!
The Ipsos iSay team reveals the recent Ipsos poll which contains new insights on how staying cool is hitting American wallets hard, especially for low-income households.
86% of Americans report they have enough air conditioning to stay comfortable.
Feeling the Burn: When A/C Bills Bite
Let's face it: Nobody wants to sweat while relaxing indoors. But for nearly 6 out of 10 (58%) Americans who make less than 50k a year, that fear of a sky-high electricity bill is real.
Breaking it down further, over a quarter (27%) say their bills are much higher in the summer, while nearly one-third (31%) report the increase as moderate. Basically, staying cool this summer comes at a premium, especially for those on a tight budget. Obviously, this depends on the summer plans: staying at home the whole summer equals higher AC costs.
The A/C Divide: Who's Cranking it Up the Most?
Staying cool isn't a one-size-fits-all deal. The poll found that Americans living out West are more stressed about keeping their homes comfortable (54%), compared to those in the Midwest (30%).
Many Americans are reporting that they’ve needed to turn up the air conditioning more this year than in previous years, especially true among residents located in the West (67%) and Northeast (60%). No surprise, this extra A/C means folks in these same regions say they are seeing a jump in electricity bills (West 66%, Northeast: 58%).
The Price of Cool: Beyond Wallets
The good news is most Americans (86%) report having enough air conditioning to stay comfortable. But here's the thing – all that extra A/C use puts a strain on the national power grid. Experts also warn that super hot summers could lead to more health problems and strain on hospitals.
Trevor Sudano, an expert at Ipsos Strategy3, says rising A/C usage is a big deal with consequences beyond just your summer fun money. "The rising cost of A/C affects everything from how much you spend on clothes to how many people end up in the hospital during heatwaves," he explains. "Basically, no industry is safe from the impact of a warming climate."
The bottom line?
Staying cool this summer isn't free, especially for those struggling financially. The more we run the A/C, the more we stress the power grid and risk health problems. As summer continues, these will continue to be “hot” issues.
Do you have any ideas on how your local and national governments can support Americans during the summer heat? You can make a difference when you share your valuable opinions and thoughts in Ipsos iSay surveys.
The Ipsos research shared in this article has been sourced from: https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/air-conditioning-yet-another-thing-impacting-our-budgets
