It took a while to get here, but summer is finally upon us. The warmer temperatures may feel better than our cold and rainy spring, but those temperatures can climb quickly! Since July 2nd is Air Conditioning Appreciation Day, today’s blog post will go over ways for older adults to stay cool and comfortable as temperatures rise.   

  

Cooling Centers  

Cooling centers are agencies that open their doors so people can come in and spend some time in air-conditioned spaces. Click here for a list of the 2025 cooling centers.  

  

Air Conditioning  

• CCWC Home Maintenance & Safety Services– this program can help install window AC unit (must be provided by client)  

• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)– this federal program helps low-income households pay for heating or cooling their homes. LIHEAP may be able to repair air conditioning units if clients qualify.   

• Washtenaw County Air Conditioner Assistance Program– this program offers central air conditioning units for Washtenaw County residents. The waitlist opens at noon on the third Tuesday in February.  

• DTE– offers a rebate of up to $300 for purchasing a high-efficiency air conditioner. Visit the website for more information and eligibility requirements.   

 

Fans  

Unfortunately, there are no free fan distributions in Washtenaw County. You might be able to find a fan at the following agencies:  

• Habitat for Humanity ReStore (734) 276-0599  
• House By The Side of The Road (offers small appliances free of charge) (734) 769-4085    
• Kiwanis Thrift Sale (734) 665-0450    
• Nu2U Again Resale (Saline) (734) 316-2715 
• Salvation Army Store (734) 332-3948  
• Sharehouse Ann Arbor (734) 222-0876  
• The Thrift Depot (Ypsilanti) (734) 905-7499  
• Value World Ypsilanti (734) 728-4610  
• Ypsilanti Thrift Shop (734) 483-1226  
• While Medicare Parts A & B don’t cover fans, some Medicare Advantage Plans may cover a fan if deemed a medical necessity. Medicaid may cover the fan/AC unit if deemed medically necessary and you have a related diagnosis.   
• Check your health insurance benefits to see whether they cover fans/AC units as “Durable Medical Equipment (DME).”  

  

Safety Tips  

We’ve covered senior-specific sun safety tips before on the blog. See below for relevant posts, plus some online resources:  

• Sun Safety Tips for Seniors  
• Staying Cool in the Summer  
• Staying Sun Safe  
• Resources for Power Outages  
• Be Prepared for Extreme Heat via Ready.gov  
• DTE Power Outage Map  

Stay cool!