Maricopa County has put $10 million in federal pandemic stimulus money into a fund to help eligible homeowners repair or replace their heating and air conditioning systems.

The pot was created about a year ago, and the latest cash injection more than doubles the total put in so far. 

One air conditioning unit costs about $15,000, and keeping many houses cool during an Arizona summer takes two units.

Jacqueline Edwards, director of the Maricopa County Human Services Department, said $10 million going into the HVAC fund is to help the most vulnerable.

“We also make sure that we prioritize our older adults as well as our families with young children because they are most susceptible to high temperatures in the summer,” she said.

The money is from Maricopa County’s share of $1.9 trillion President Joe Biden approved in 2021 to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and economic fallout.

“This program has already helped over 400 households and we know that we are going to be able to support at least another 600 households,” Edwards said.