New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced significant online criticism this week after advising residents to set their air conditioners to 78 degrees Fahrenheit as a severe heatwave gripped the city. The recommendation came as temperatures threatened to reach 100 degrees, a mark not seen since 2012, and with a heat index potentially exceeding 100 degrees.
"New York: it’s hot out there, and the power grid is working overtime to keep us cool," Mamdani wrote in a post on X. "Set your AC to 78 degrees, turn off lights/electronics you’re not using, and unplug what you can." He added that city buildings would also adhere to the 78-degree rule and that private partners were being asked to do the same. The mayor stated that a stable grid would ensure air conditioning remains on and save lives.
Mamdani's advice was met with swift and often sarcastic responses from social media personalities and local residents. Barstool founder Dave Portnoy, who has previously expressed interest in running for mayor, responded, "78 degrees??? Welcome to communism people! Hope you enjoy!" Conservative media figure Bonchie questioned, "Do you feel the warmth of collectivism yet?"
Many New Yorkers expressed skepticism about the feasibility of the recommendation, with some vowing to disregard it. "As a New Yorker I’ll be setting my AC to 62 degrees for the foreseeable future as a direct retaliation to your authority," one user commented. Another noted, "I have texted all my coworkers who voted for Zohran to send me a photo of their A/C set to 78."
Several critics raised concerns about the perceived hypocrisy of asking residents to endure higher indoor temperatures while visible energy consumption, such as the illumination of Times Square, continues. Moshe Spern, president of the United Jewish Teachers, posted, "My Mayor is Muslim. My Bagel is Jewish. My Christian Dior. Thermostat set to 74. Or lower... Only a Communist believes distribution of wealth also means distribution of air conditioning. Send thermostat pics at Gracie and City hall please!!"
The Department of Energy suggests that individuals set their thermostats between 75 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer and raise the temperature when no one is home. Mamdani's predecessor, Eric Adams, also advised New Yorkers to set their ACs to 78 degrees during a heat advisory in July 2023.
AccuWeather predicted that Thursday and Friday would be the hottest days in the city, with temperatures potentially reaching 100 degrees. Millions of Americans across central and eastern cities were expected to swelter under similar heatwave conditions, with the potential for numerous local temperature records to be broken and heat index values reaching as high as 115 degrees Fahrenheit.