Zohran Mamdani has urged New Yorkers to set their AC to 78 degrees amid an impending heat wave. The NYC Mayor is asking residents to help reduce pressure on the city’s power grid with this adjustment. The request has since sparked a fiery response from social media users.
Critics target the mayor’s voluntary electricity-saving request
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted on X on Wednesday, July 1, urging New Yorkers to set their air conditioners to 78 degrees. As the city prepares for the upcoming heat wave, Mamdani has asked residents to reduce electricity use and unplug unused appliances to ease strain on the city’s power grid.
“New York: it’s hot out there, and the power grid is working overtime to keep us cool. Set your AC to 78 degrees, turn off lights/electronics you’re not using, and unplug what you can,” Mamdani wrote.
The mayor added, “Our City is doing its part too: maintaining the 78 degrees rule in our buildings, dimming/turning off our lights during peak electricity demand, asking private partners to do the same, and powering down non-essential equipment. A stable grid means the AC stays on, and lives are saved. Let’s ease demand — and get through the heat — together.”
However, the post has sparked backlash, with many voicing their opposition to the request. Several users have replied to the post, denying that they set the AC to 78 degrees amid the intense heat wave. One user wrote, “As a New Yorker, I’ll be setting my AC to 62 degrees for the foreseeable future as a direct retaliation to your authority.”
Another person sarcastically commented, “Everyone turn your AC to 78 in order to conserve energy.” They added a picture of Times Square, all lit up, to point out the massive power usage at the intersection.
Mamdani had previously warned New Yorkers of the predicted heat wave. In a video posted on July 1, the NYC Mayor said, “We are entering what could be the most extreme heat wave the city has seen in over a decade.”
