For thousands of families in North Carolina, the decision to turn on the air conditioning at night during the summer is not about comfort, but a financial calculation, according to a recent report by Advance America.
The report, also based on Census data, reveals that 21% of low-income households in North Carolina, or 261,782 households, regularly turn off their air conditioning at night in the summer to save money on heating. monthly account.
“No family should have to choose between stay cool "And pay their bills, but for millions of households, that's exactly the situation," said Laura McCutcheon, vice president of marketing for the financial company Advance America.
These households go without cooling for an average of 11 nights a month, while more than two-thirds of those surveyed said that limiting air conditioning negatively affects their sleep.
The survey also revealed that 27% have delayed paying another family bill in order to afford cooling, and 22% have endured a house they considered dangerously hot rather than turn on the air conditioning.
The results are based on a survey conducted in July 2026 of 3,011 adults in households with annual incomes below $49.999. Advance America combined survey data with the 2023 Local Air Conditioning Estimates from the Census Bureau to project the magnitude of the problem at the national and state levels.
Families go without air conditioning 11 nights a month
Among those who turn off their air conditioning to save money, the average household does so for 11 nights a month. That means many families spend more than a third of their summer nights choosing between a comfortable temperature and a sweltering one. energy bill manageable.
The report found that concern about cooling costs is widespread: 7 out of 10 respondents are at least somewhat worried about the cost of keeping their homes cool this summer.
For some, that pressure has already shifted to other areas of the monthly budget: more than a quarter (27%) said they have delayed paying another household bill so they can afford to use air conditioning.
“Eleven nights a month without air conditioning is no small inconvenience. It affects sleep, health, work performance, and even family relationships. Cooling costs have become one of the quieter financial pressures of the summer, and we wanted to put real numbers to something many families are already experiencing,” McCutcheon said.
Reducing refrigeration is costing North Carolina residents sleep.
Turning off the air conditioning can reduce your energy bill, but the savings may come at the cost of a good night's sleep.
More than two-thirds of those surveyed said that limiting air conditioning at night negatively affects their sleep; 37% said they sleep much worse and another 32% sleep slightly worse. Only 9% said they sleep better without it.
When asked what they experienced sleeping without air conditioning due to the cost, respondents reported:
- 22% experienced excessive sweating
- 21% had difficulty falling asleep
- 19% woke up repeatedly during the night
- 10% felt irritable the next day
- 6% suffered from headaches
- 5% had difficulty concentrating
- Four percent said their children had difficulty sleeping
While 2% had missed work or arrived late as a result, only 8% said that sleeping without air conditioning had no noticeable effects.
The study's findings suggest that cooling costs are related to more than just comfort, as poor sleep can affect concentration, mood, parenting, and the ability to work the next day.
One in five has endured a dangerously hot home
Despite the potential health risks associated with extreme indoor temperatures, 22% of respondents said they felt their home was dangerously hot, but still avoided using air conditioning because of the cost.
Maintaining a cooling system can pose an additional financial burden. Nearly a third (30%) said they had delayed repairing or replacing an air conditioning system because they could not afford the fix.
Air conditioning use is also becoming a source of friction in the home. Almost a third said that arguments about the thermostat had caused tension at home.
- 11% said it happens frequently
- 21% said it happens occasionally
- 23% said it rarely happens
- 45% said it has never caused tension
Whether it's the bill, the temperature, or who last touched the thermostat, refrigeration has become another household expense that families must negotiate together.
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Takeaway food is the first luxury households would sacrifice.
When asked what they would be willing to sacrifice for a month to afford air conditioning during a particularly hot summer, respondents most preferred takeout meals (selected by 31%). New clothes came in second at 19%, followed by streaming subscriptions at 17%.
Full breakdown:
- Takeaway meals: 31%
- New clothes: 19%
- Streaming subscriptions: 17%
- Vacation or travel plans: 14%
- Social activities: 13%
- Personal savings: 6%
The report's authors point out that, although most respondents opted for discretionary spending, the fact that 6% resorted to their savings underlines how essential air conditioning has become during periods of extreme heat.
Advance America This study was conducted in July, surveying 3,011 adults in households with incomes below $49,000.
See the full report: 12.7M Low-Income Households Are Turning Off the AC to Save Money [2026 Survey]
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