Free air conditioners or fans in Oklahoma
During the summer, there are free air condition programs available from OK Human Services as a part of LIHEAP as well as window fans or other colling bill help from Oklahoma Gas and Electric. A combination of government programs and non-profits try to help low-income families stay cool. Find details on the free A/C units and fan programs in Oklahoma below.
The government will offer electric bill help and air conditioners to very low-income families as part of LIHEAP. However non-profits, charities and companies such as OG&E focus on given out free fans to the vulnerable, with a focus on the elderly, disabled, or low-income families with young kids.
Government air conditioner programs in Oklahoma
Free A/C units from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, or DHS, are part of federal benefit programs. The government processes applications to the LIHEAP summer cooling program. As part of this there will be grant money to help pay for electric bills and the funds can also be used to pay for a small, portable air conditioner. Or to fix a broken AC unit.
In addition, DHS will sometimes directly provide free air conditioners to senior citizens, the disabled or people with a medical condition. This program is often run in partnership with local community action agencies in Oklahoma. This is a program that operates in some years, based on federal funding. Find more details on Oklahoma LIHEAP energy help.
Weatherization in Oklahoma is another option that is for long term relief. Very low-income income families or people that live in older homes can get help. This program will also pay for air conditioners, window insulation, fans, new windows and more. While this is a long term solution, it will help low income people stay cool and modernize their home which will include relief from summer heat and humidity.
Free fans or small A/C units from non-profits, utility companies or local charities
Most years Oklahoma Gas and Electric will provide a limited number of free fans or small air conditioner units to low-income families. The utility company will give units to charities such as the Salvation Army, Agency on Aging offices and other non-profits in the community. These items are then distributed to low-income and elderly citizens across Oklahoma so that they can find relief from the summer heat.
A special priority is for low income families with children, disabled, elderly, and seniors. Those individuals are most at risk of serious medical hardships if they can’t stay cool during the hot summer month, so they are first in line for help. In addition, OG&E will also offer emergency help to people pay their summer electric bills. Click here for details on utility assistance from OG&E.
Charities such as the Salvation Army will distribute the fans, for free, to the low-income. Then any extra units are provided to others in the community. Those individuals who need assistance with staying cool are encouraged to come to find a local center. In addition to a free window fan or small AC unit, there are also cooling centers too.
In addition to the fans, if someone needs financial assistance for paying an air conditioning or cooling bill, the Salvation Army may rarely have funds for paying those bills. Funding is limited. Find more details on a local Oklahoma Salvation Army Centers.
People that are vulnerable can get a high powered free window box fan or portable AC unit too. Irving Community Center, Latino Community Development Agency in Oklahoma City, United Way (in each County) and others. Oklahoma community action agencies also help people with their utility bills, including to fix a broken air conditioner or to replace it for free.
Many of the resources run off of donations and contributions from the local community, including businesses such as OG&E and private individuals. In addition, some government grant money (federal or state) also allows the free fan and air conditioner distribution programs to operate. So to that end, most local non-profits are also accepting donations. They accept new or gently used fans or money for the purchase of new air conditioners or fans.
Conclusion
Please keep in mind that people who have received fans or air conditioners in previous years from a local non-profit (or LIHEAP) are generally not eligible for fans in the following year. For more information on how these or other programs work, contact the numbers listed above.
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