Susan Thought She Wouldn't Survive Another Arizona Summer
For three years, Susan Terrel lived through Arizona summers without a working air conditioner.
At 61 years old, Susan’s home in Mesa regularly reached temperatures in the high 90s. Day after day, she relied on fans, portable cooling devices, and determination to get through Arizona’s brutal summers. But as temperatures continued to climb, she feared her luck was running out.
“I literally thought I was going to die this year,” Susan shared.
Her story is one that far too many Arizona homeowners know all too well.
When Extreme Heat Becomes a Health Emergency
In Arizona, a broken air conditioner is more than an inconvenience—it can become a life-threatening situation.
For Susan, the cost of repairs quickly put a solution out of reach. Facing repair estimates in the thousands of dollars and replacement costs even higher, she found herself trapped between dangerous indoor temperatures and financial reality.
The heat became so unbearable that Susan took a second job driving for Uber—not for the income alone, but because it allowed her to spend time in an air-conditioned vehicle.
Imagine working extra hours simply to escape the heat inside your own home.
Unfortunately, Susan is not alone. Through conversations with participants in our Healthy Homes Air Conditioning Program, we regularly hear stories from older adults, individuals with disabilities, and families with young children who are struggling to stay safe during Arizona’s hottest months.
Finding Help Through AllThrive 365
When Susan learned about AllThrive 365’s Healthy Homes Air Conditioning Program, everything changed.
The program, funded by APS, SRP, and Blue Cross Blue Shielf, helps eligible homeowners repair or replace broken and unsafe air-conditioning systems at no cost, helping vulnerable residents remain safe in their homes during extreme heat. Priority is given to older adults, individuals with disabilities, and households with children who may face greater health risks during Arizona summers.
After years of struggling, Susan received a brand-new air conditioning unit through the program.
The difference was immediate.
Instead of waking up to oppressive heat, her home now stays at a comfortable 74 degrees—even during triple-digit temperatures.
More Than Comfort—It’s Peace of Mind
The impact extended far beyond a cooler home.
Susan’s monthly utility bill dropped dramatically—from $286 during the same period last year to $187 this year.
For someone already facing the financial strain of replacing a major home system, those savings matter.
But perhaps most importantly, Susan no longer spends her days worrying about whether her home will be safe during the next heat wave.
When asked what the program meant to her, she put it simply:
“You made it so I could live.”
The Health Benefits of a Working Air Conditioner
Susan’s experience reflects what we’re seeing throughout the Healthy Homes Air Conditioning Program.
Independent program evaluations found that after receiving emergency HVAC repair or replacement:
- Reports of unsafe or unhealthy indoor temperatures decreased by 70%.
- No surveyed households reported unsafe indoor temperatures after receiving assistance.
- Heat-related medical encounters dropped significantly.
- Participants reported fewer sleepless nights and improved mental health.
- Worry about losing access to cooling fell from 82% of participants to just 11%.
These outcomes reinforce what we already know: reliable cooling isn’t a luxury in Arizona—it’s essential for health, safety, and quality of life.
Help Is Available
Every summer, Arizona residents face impossible choices between paying bills, repairing their homes, and protecting their health.
The Healthy Homes Air Conditioning Program exists to ensure that vulnerable homeowners don’t have to face those challenges alone. The program serves eligible homeowners in Maricopa, Pinal, Yavapai, Yuma, and La Paz counties and helps keep residents safe during the most dangerous months of the year.
For Susan, that support meant the difference between fearing for her life and finally being comfortable in her own home again.
And that’s exactly why this work matters.
Need help with a broken or unsafe air conditioner?
Learn more about AllThrive 365’s Healthy Homes Air Conditioning Program by calling 602-532-2976 ext. 540 or emailing ACHelp@allthrive365.org. Eligibility requirements apply.