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Some residents along the Texas coast are enduring extreme heat in homes without reliable, affordable air conditioning. A recent account from Galveston shows how aging housing, costly electricity and limited assistance can combine to make cooling difficult—but one resident’s experience should not be mistaken for conditions across the entire coast.
What the heat and lack of affordable cooling look like in Galveston
Public Health Watch reported on September 29, 2026, that Carol Boyer, 87, had only recently gotten air conditioning in her historic Galveston home. She said, “This heat now is a different heat,” and, “It’s hard to keep up with it.” The report describes her boarding windows, closing off rooms and no longer using the second floor.
Boyer had two working window air-conditioning units, yet reported a summer electric bill above $400 against monthly income of about $1,500. Those figures describe her household, not a typical Texas coast bill or income. They illustrate a difficult trade-off: having cooling equipment does not ensure a household can afford to use it enough to stay comfortable.
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Public Health Watch reports that one-fifth of Galveston’s housing stock was built before 1939 and that some older houses lack modern insulation. An older home is not automatically inefficient, but a poorly insulated house can be harder to keep cool when outdoor temperatures are high.
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How many Galveston homes lack air conditioning?
Public Health Watch, citing a 2023 U.S. Census Bureau report, says nearly 600 Galveston homes—about 2.6%—had no air conditioning of any kind. This is a city-level estimate, not a figure for the whole Texas coast.
The same outlet reported that days above 100°F in Galveston County more than doubled between 1993 and 2023, citing First Street data. First Street projects the number could nearly double again over the next 30 years; that is a projection, not a guaranteed outcome. Public Health Watch also reported a 30% average increase in Texas electricity costs since 2020. These reported figures point to intersecting pressures: hot weather raises the need for cooling, while equipment and electricity can remain out of reach.
Who is most at risk during extreme heat?
The Texas Department of State Health Services identifies older adults, young children, people with chronic diseases and people without air conditioning as especially vulnerable during extreme heat. Its June 20, 2023 heat-safety release says, “Staying in an air-conditioned area, either at home or at public places like malls, libraries or community centers, is the best way to combat heat.”
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Heat illness can affect anyone, but people who cannot cool their homes may have fewer ways to reduce their exposure. Public Health Watch reported 238 heat-related emergency-department visits in Galveston County from April through September 2026, citing Houston Health Department data. Because the report appeared on September 29, that figure should not be treated as a complete April-to-September seasonal total.
Where to find a cooling center in Texas
- Call 2-1-1 and select option 1. Texas DSHS directs people to this service to locate cooling centers.
- Check local listings before traveling. Confirm the location, hours and any access requirements with the state or local listing, since availability can change.
- Use another air-conditioned public place if appropriate. DSHS names malls, libraries and community centers as examples. Check whether a location is open and accessible before setting out.
Access is not always equal. A 2025 preprint examining Hurricane Beryl in Harris County found that proximity and lower income were associated with cooling-center use. Limited English proficiency was associated with a lower likelihood of choosing a cooling center over a hotel. The study concerns Harris County during a specific blackout and heat emergency; its findings should not be assumed to describe Galveston or every heat event.
What to do if someone may be getting heat illness
Texas DSHS lists heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, nausea, a weak but rapid pulse and headache among symptoms of heat illness. Move the person to a cooler place if possible. The department advises seeking medical attention if symptoms do not improve. Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms warrant urgent medical help.
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Can Texans get help paying an electric bill or getting an air conditioner?
Public Health Watch describes several potential routes in the Galveston area, including LIHEAP bill assistance, BakerRipley utility assistance and Project Fat Cat air-conditioner installations. These are leads, not confirmation that a program is currently taking applications or has funds available. Contact each provider to check service area, eligibility, funding and intake status before relying on assistance.
Public Health Watch reported that less than 3% of eligible Texas households received LIHEAP support in 2024, citing the most recent data available when its article was published. That figure suggests assistance has not reached most eligible households, but does not establish current program funding or a household’s chance of approval.
Buying a window unit may help in some circumstances, but it is not a universal solution: purchase and installation costs, electrical compatibility, room size and the cost of running it all matter. A cooling center or utility-assistance inquiry may be more practical for someone who cannot safely or affordably cool a home.
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- Portable AC: Take this personal air conditioner (16.5” x 14.06” x 27.09) in rooms up to 550 sq. ft. Stay cool in the hot summer months and sleep well with this BLACK+DECKER ac unit for bedroom
- Smart AC with Voice Control: This smart air conditioner allows Wi-Fi connectivity and can be controlled using our mobile app available on iOS and Google Play stores, and voice controlled by Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant
- Follow Me Remote: Our portable AC unit comes with a full function remote control that features a FOLLOW ME function, which allows the remote to act as a thermostat for precise temperature control
- Installation Kit: When it comes to fans that blow cold air, this indoor ac unit includes an easy-to-install window kit. A large, vented airflow outlet ushers in cool air
What earlier Gulf Coast research can—and cannot—show
A 2018 KFF/Episcopal Health Foundation survey of residents affected by Hurricane Harvey found that 6% of respondents who considered their living conditions unsafe said they lacked heat or air conditioning. That was a subgroup of Harvey-affected residents reporting unsafe conditions, not a general estimate of cooling access in Texas or a measure of current conditions.
The survey also described repair costs and incomplete landlord work as barriers for some residents recovering from Harvey. It offers historical context for how housing conditions can complicate recovery, but cannot establish how many people currently lack cooling along the Texas coast.
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