Cool Air Salute Program Launched to Support California's Military Community
California veterans, active-duty military members, and their families can receive assistance with vehicle air conditioning repairs through the Cool Air Salute initiative.
A new program, Cool Air Salute, has been launched in California to support the state's military community by subsidizing vehicle air conditioning repairs. The initiative covers 95 percent of eligible repair costs, up to $1,500 per vehicle, offering significant financial relief to veterans and active-duty service members and their families.
The program was introduced on July 17, 2026, during the annual San Diego Stand Down event. Mike Tanner, executive director of the Car Care Council, stated that the program aims to ensure that military members and veterans do not suffer in the heat due to malfunctioning AC systems, framing the support as a way to honor their service.
California hosts the largest population of veterans and active-duty military personnel in the United States. Many individuals within this community live on fixed or limited incomes, which can make essential vehicle AC repairs a financial burden. The Cool Air Rebate Program, which administers the initiative, has previously assisted thousands of families by funding repairs for eligible Californian vehicles.
The program is funded through unclaimed deposits from R-134a refrigerant cans, in coordination with the California Air Resources Board. Further details on eligibility and participating repair shops are available on the Cool Air Salute website.