When the summer heat hits, home is where you go to feel safe. But millions of New York residents must now choose between staying cool and keeping the lights on.

WHAT HAPPENED

On July 2, 2026, Mayor Zohran Mamdani asked all residents and shops to set their cooling units to 78 degrees. The heat index in the city went past 104 degrees.

Power companies warned the grid could fail and cause massive blackouts. In response, the city ordered non-emergency government offices to stay at 78 degrees. They also opened 600 cooling spaces and stopped tenant evictions.

But many people got angry online. They ask why regular families must sweat while giant digital signs in Times Square stay fully lit.

FACT BOX

The Request*: Set home air units to 78 degrees or higher.

• The Danger: A heat index over 104 degrees threatened to crash the power grid.
• The City Rule: Government offices must keep their rooms at 78 degrees.
• The Help: Over 600 cooling sites opened and tenant evictions were stopped.
• The Free Pass: Giant Times Square signs faced no rules to cut power.

WHY IT MATTERS

Engineers say 78 degrees is the best point to save power. They argue that a little sweat is better than a total blackout that leaves everyone in the dark.

But health advocates say hot rooms are dangerous for the old and the sick. Many feel it is unfair to spare big businesses while asking families to suffer.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

The hot weather is set to last for several more days. Teams are watching power levels around the clock to stop grid failures.

City workers will study how many people actually cut their power use.

WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW

1. How many homes actually set their air units to 78 degrees?
2. Why did the city let Times Square signs stay on during a power crisis?
3. When will the city upgrade the power grid so it can handle hot summers?

SOURCE NOTE

Source: Based on reports from the New York City Mayor's office and Consolidated Edison.