ASHEVILLE, N.C. — As temperatures rise across North Carolina, many people seek relief in air-conditioned homes. While over 97% of homes statewide have air conditioning, mountain areas have a significantly lower rate of AC usage.
About one-third of homes in Ashe County don’t have air conditioning, the highest rate in the state. Buncombe County has just over 7%, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Asheville Buncombe County Christian Ministries runs a cooling program providing fans and window air conditioning units to residents in need when high temperatures strike…