13 Million US Households Can't Stay Cool — and Repairs Average $2,200

Our take

While this research is US-based, it carries real relevance for South African landlords, tenants, and property buyers — particularly as Gauteng, the Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal summers grow hotter and more unpredictable. For SA landlords, the lesson is clear: ageing or undersized cooling equipment is a liability, not just a comfort issue. Under the Rental Housing Act, landlords are obligated to maintain a property in a habitable condition. If a tenant can demonstrate that a broken or inadequate air conditioner made the property uninhabitable during extreme heat, that could constitute a maintenance dispute — and a potential Rental Housing Tribunal complaint. For tenants, this is a reminder to document cooling equipment in your lease and inspection report upfront. If the unit has air conditioning listed as a feature, its working condition is part of what you're paying for. For buyers, especially those purchasing sectional title units or older freehold homes, factor HVAC servicing costs into your budget. A unit that "has aircon" may have a system nearing end-of-life — and replacement costs in South Africa can easily exceed R25,000 to R40,000. As load-shedding has already strained inverter and generator budgets, adding cooling system maintenance to the financial picture is a conversation more SA households need to have before summer arrives.