But many people have had to curtail their air conditioning usage to try to keep their electricity bills in check, as they also struggle with the spike in price for food, gas and other essentials.

Americans' electric bills are expected to increase by 20% to an average of $540 for this summer, compared to the same period last year, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.

But even if people limit their usage, they may still get bigger bills. That's because residential electricity prices are rising at a faster pace this summer than in many previous years, according to the US Energy Information Administration. The increase is driven in part by the surge in cost of natural gas, which is used to generate electricity. Natural gas prices jumped following a production slump during the pandemic, as well as shortages due to the war in Ukraine.

Air conditioning, however, is not merely for comfort. It's a necessity for many people, particularly those in poor health. More than 700 people in the US die from heat-related causes every year, on average, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The deaths are generally considered preventable.

"Extreme heat events are deadly, and they are increasingly frequent," said Stephen Walls, a clean building advocate at the Natural Resources Defense Council. "Cooling assistance could help avoid hundreds of deaths per year."