Austin Now Requires All Homes to Have Air Conditioning Amid Rising Heat

The Austin City Council has unanimously approved a significant new property care code that mandates all city homes to have functional air conditioning systems. This law is particularly crucial as it aims to protect public health during increasingly extreme heat conditions, following a record-setting summer in 2023 where temperatures soared above 100°F for over 40 consecutive days. While the regulation does not require central air conditioning, it stipulates that homeowners and landlords must equip their properties with cooling systems capable of lowering indoor temperatures by at least 15 degrees below the outdoor temperature, as long as indoor temperatures do not exceed 85°F. The measure applies to all "habitable" rooms, ensuring that kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms remain safe and comfortable. Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes, a key advocate for the initiative, expressed her contentment with the council's decision, emphasizing its importance for the well-being of Austinites.

Currently, cities like Dallas and Denton have similar requirements, but statewide legislation on air conditioning has yet to be enacted. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the exact number of Texas households without cooling systems, U. S. Census data indicates that around 1% lack any form of air conditioning. With climate change intensifying heatwaves, this law is a proactive step to safeguard residents during extreme weather events.