What we verified in “When your home is too cold or too hot: heat and air conditioning”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. According to the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), from October 1 to May 31 owners must provide heat: between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., if it is below 55 °F outside, it must be at least 68 °F inside; between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., at least 62 °F regardless of the outside temperature; they must provide hot water at a minimum of 120 °F all year; if you have no heat or hot water, contact the owner first; and you can complain to 311, online or through the app.

   Sources 1 · Heat and Hot Water Information: 'between October 1st and May 31st'; 'When the outside temperature is below 55 degrees between the hours of 6:00am and 10:00pm, the inside temperature is required to be at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit'; 'Between the hours of 10:00pm and 6:00am, the inside temperature is required to be at least 62 degrees Fahrenheit regardless of what the outside temperature is'; 'at a constant minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit'; 'If you are a tenant without heat or hot water, contact your landlord first'; 311, 311ONLINE, 311MOBILE · Checked October 31, 2026

2. According to the CDC, carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that kills without warning; the most common symptoms are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion, often described as flu-like; everyone is at risk, but more so infants, the elderly and people with chronic heart disease, anemia or breathing problems; it recommends battery-operated or battery back-up CO detectors near every sleeping area, having a qualified technician service the heating system, water heater and gas, oil or coal-burning appliances every year, and never heating the house with a gas oven.

   Sources 2 · Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning Basics (last reviewed Oct. 26, 2026): 'an odorless, colorless gas that kills without warning'; 'headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion'; 'flu-like'; 'Infants, the elderly, and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or breathing problems'; 'Install battery-operated or battery back-up CO detectors near every sleeping area in your home'; service heating system, water heater and gas, oil or coal-burning appliances every year; 'Never heat your house with a gas oven' · Checked October 31, 2026

3. According to the CDC, generators must be kept outside, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents; do not use generators or grills in or next to your home; do not heat your home with a gas oven; and for information you can call 800-232-4636.

   Sources 3 · Avoiding Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (last reviewed Aug. 26, 2026): 'Keep generators outside, at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents'; 'Don't use generators or grills in or next to your home'; 'Don't heat home with gas oven'; '800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)' · Checked October 31, 2026

4. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), keep all sides of a portable heater at least 3 feet from beds, clothes, curtains, papers, sofas and other things that can burn; never run the cord under rugs or power it with an extension cord or power strip; keep it away from water and do not touch it if you are wet; place it on a stable, level surface where it will not be knocked over; never leave it on unattended or while you sleep; if the cord or plug is hot, disconnect it; and check SaferProducts.gov to see if your heater has been recalled.

   Sources 4 · 7 Highly Effective Portable Heater Safety Habits (NSN 15-11): 'Keep all sides of the heater at least 3 feet from beds, clothes, curtains, papers, sofas and other items that can catch fire'; 'Never run the heater’s cord under rugs or carpeting and never power the heater with an extension cord or power strip'; 'Make sure the heater is not near water. NEVER touch it if you are wet'; 'Place the heater on a stable, level surface, located where it will not be knocked over'; 'Never leave the heater operating while unattended or while you are sleeping'; 'If the heater’s cord or plug is HOT, disconnect the heater'; 'Check SaferProducts.gov to see if your electric heater has been recalled' · Checked October 31, 2026

5. According to the CDC, people aged 65 or older are more prone to heat-related health problems; infants and young children rely on others to keep them cool and hydrated; heat is especially dangerous for people with chronic conditions; pregnancy makes you more likely to get sick when it is very hot; and people without air conditioning are also at risk.

   Sources 5 · Heat and Your Health, Risk factors: 'People aged 65 years or older are more prone to heat-related health problems'; 'Infants and young children rely on others to keep them cool and hydrated'; 'especially dangerous for those with chronic medical conditions'; 'Pregnancy can make you more likely to get sick when it's very hot'; people without air conditioning · Checked October 31, 2026

6. According to the CDC, if you have no air conditioning do not rely only on fans, because when it is very hot they will not prevent heat-related illness; contact your local health department or find an air-conditioned shelter; a few hours at a mall or public library help; drink more water than usual without waiting to be thirsty; use a buddy system and check on a friend or neighbor; take cool showers or baths; use the stove and oven less; and if you need help paying, contact LIHEAP.

   Sources 6 · Heat and People without Air Conditioning: 'Don't rely solely on fans to keep you cool'; fans won't prevent heat-related illness when temperatures are really hot; 'Contact your local health department or locate an air-conditioned shelter in your area'; a few hours at a mall or public library; 'Drink more water than usual, and don't wait until you're thirsty to drink'; 'Use a buddy system- check on a friend or neighbor'; 'Take cool showers or baths'; 'Use your stove and oven less'; 'If you need financial assistance, contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for help' · Checked October 31, 2026

7. Under the LIHEAP law (42 U.S.C. §8622), home energy is a source of heating or cooling in a residence; an energy crisis includes weather-related, supply shortage and other household energy emergencies; and a household includes people living together as one economic unit who buy energy in common or pay for it as part of the rent.

   Sources 7 · 42 U.S.C. §8622: 'home energy' means 'a source of heating or cooling in residential dwellings'; 'energy crisis' means 'weather-related and supply shortage emergencies and other household energy-related emergencies'; 'household' means 'any individual or group of individuals who are living together as one economic unit for whom residential energy is customarily purchased in common or who make undesignated payments for energy in the form of rent' · Checked October 31, 2026