A seemingly mundane video of a man standing over an air vent has captivated TikTok, earning more than 1.3 million views.

The clip shared by his daughter Maise (@maisieedavis) resonated widely and racked up over 148,000 likes.

The text layered over it explains why, it said: “My dad realizing his apartment has aircon on the day he’s moving out after spending three months in a New York summer.”

While New York City summers are known for their intense heat and humidity, enduring them without air conditioning can be particularly punishing. Around 90 percent of households in the city have air conditioning, according to NYC.gov.

However, this number drops to as low as 76 percent in some low-income neighborhoods, highlighting a disparity that can make a serious difference during extreme heat.

New York City experiences a humid subtropical climate, with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Annual temperatures in the city generally range from 28°F to 84°F, and rarely fall below 14°F or rise above 93°F, according to WeatherSpark.

However, in 2024, the National Weather Service issued extreme heat warnings across much of the U.S., with temperatures of 90°F and above affecting an estimated 270 million people.

A “heat dome” had settled over the Eastern U.S.—a high-pressure system trapping hot air and allowing it to intensify daily. High humidity levels further exacerbated the oppressive conditions, making the air feel even hotter.

Given the heat, it’s no surprise that TikTok users empathized with the father’s late discovery.

“I promise you… He’s thinking about each individual day and moment he wanted that AC and then thought about each and every moment that he built moving out because of not having it,” said one user.

Others chimed in with remarks like, “he’s thinking about how he only moved for that,” and “he had flashbacks of the heat that he could’ve prevented.”

Another comment offered a simple tribute: “A moment of silence for this king.” One user even shared a similar experience: “I did this with a heater after the coldest winters of my life.”

One viewer joked: “Tell him to do the math about how much money he saved not running it! Dads love saving money, so that will be salve to his wounds.”

The cost of running an air conditioner varies, according to HomeGuide. Central air systems can range from $30 to $270 per month, while window units typically cost between $20 and $55 monthly—figures that may offer some consolation for those sweating over their energy bills.

Newsweek is waiting for @maisieedavis to provide a comment.