Living in the “hottest place in the world” without aircon: Penrith renters suffer from a lack of air conditioning.
Finn Connolly | 20/12/23 | 5 min read
On the 4th of January 2020 Penrith was the hottest place in the world for that day, reaching temperatures of 48.9 degrees. The geography of the Penrith valley allows for heat to become trapped, resulting in some of the highest temperatures in Western Sydney. Despite the often extreme temperatures, many Penrith residents living in rentals or social housing report that their homes have not been outfitted with adequate air conditioning, if at all.
Ronald Wheeler is a Penrith resident who has lived in the area for 25 years. He lives with a disability and receives the age-care pension. Additionally, Ronald is one of many renters in the Penrith area who will have to endure this summer without air conditioning.
Ronald states…
“The sun at any point, any day faces my home. I don’t know how I’m going to do these 45-degree days we are supposed to get soon.
“I need an aircon or else I can get sick”.
In addition to Ron, many more Penrith renters suffer from a lack of air conditioning.
Twenty residents who rent in the Penrith area were surveyed on the availability of air conditioning in their homes. 50 percent of the group reported that they did not have an air conditioner in their home. Among the remaining 50 percent, the majority of residents listed the quality of their air conditioning as “poor”.
Question: How well does your air conditioner work? (In built air conditioners only)
In Australia landlords are under no obligation to provide air conditioning to tenants.
According to the survey 35% of participants purchased portable air conditioning units, as air conditioning was either missing or inadequate in their home.
While air conditioning can be purchased, the price can vary from $60-$120 for cheap units to $400-$2000 for powerful models. For people living in low-income households, the price of a new air con may be too high. Among the participants of the survey, 40 percent stated that they live in social housing. Additionally, 50 percent of participants had not purchased a portable air conditioner.
Ronald details the struggle of trying to buy a new air conditioner for his home.
“You don't get much money on the age care pension. You can’t just go and get a new aircon. I just can’t afford a thing like that”.
“My aged care package blew up in three weeks. I have other expenses”.
Ronald states that he sought support from the “benevolent society”, a non for profit organisation that provides services for aged care and disabilities. For the past few months, they have been helping him get air conditioning for his home.
“I managed to get a letter from my doctor saying that I need air conditioner. I took it to the housing people (department of housing) but it was rejected because it was out of date by just two days”
“ I then sent the letter to the benevolent society and they emailed it to the local MP, saying that I deserve an air conditioner. This all started six months ago, and I still have no aircon”.
Ronald claims that there is a chance he may receive an air conditioner, however it will not be until the middle of next year.
A lack of adequate air conditioning, particularly in an area as hot as Penrith can be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of residents.
A 2020 study surveyed residents of Detroit, U.S.A. The results of this study suggest that people without air conditioner and pre existing health conditions are especially vulnerable to heat related illness.
Unlike Detroit which has never gotten higher than 40 degrees Celsius, Penrith experiences an average of 4.9 days over 40, every year.
Out of the 20 Penrith renters surveyed, 60% answered that a lack of adequate air conditioning has impacted both their health and sleep.
Mean number of days ≥ 40 °C for years 1995 to 2023 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology)
A 2022 research report by the Australia Institute reveals that the electorate of Lindsay (which contains Penrith) is projected to have the most extreme heat days in Western Sydney, with over 40 days above 35 degrees by 2090.
According to the report Penrith has experienced temperatures higher than initially projected for the past few years.
As the average temperature rises, so do heat related hospitalisations across the country. Ronald calls for air conditioning to become more accessible for renters.
“I need it, everyone needs it. It can get so hot around here that it’s hard even in your home. I hope I get one (air conditioner) soon, but I will have to get through this summer without one”.
