Dangerous heatwave intensifies heading into July 4th weekend
About two-thirds of the U.S. population could be exposed to extreme heat this week, Weather.com warned. Experts urge people to stay hydrated.
Air conditioning will keep millions of Americans safe and comfortable during the holiday season as heat domes pose dangerous conditions for millions. However, not everyone can take advantage of the cooling power of air conditioners.
New empirical data from the U.S. Census Bureau and previous research from the Energy Information Administration estimate that 93% of the nation’s 127 million households will have air conditioning installed by 2023, a number that has increased by about 16 percentage points since the beginning of the century.
The 10 counties with the lowest percentage of air-conditioned households in the continental United States were all located in coastal areas of California and Oregon, or in high-elevation areas of Colorado. For example, San Francisco County had the lowest rate at 35%.
On the other hand, Kennedy County, Texas, with 17 households, stands out as the only county with 100% AC usage.
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Exposure to heat can be deadly for people without access to cooling equipment, especially when nighttime temperatures are high for extended periods of time.
The current heatwave is expected to bring temperatures to the highest of the year in many places, with minimum temperatures expected to remain low.
“Given the national impact of this heat wave, this could potentially cause fatal injuries to more than 1,000 people. Many of the deaths will not be reported as heat-related deaths,” AccuWeather Founder and Executive Chairman Dr. Joel Myers said in a note on the U.S. heat wave.
Historical data on which areas of the country use the most air conditioning shows strong geographic trends. With a few exceptions, air conditioning use increases as you move south in the United States, according to Energy Information Administration data.
This data is a statewide look at the average household air conditioning usage in each state.
Why do some areas have more air conditioning than others?
Not surprisingly, southern states use far more air conditioning than northern households. It’s not just that some regions are warmer, but population, geography, and infrastructure also make a difference in the use and deployment of air conditioning. Several factors come into play:
- Economy and demographics: According to the Energy Information Administration, households without air conditioning are more likely to be renters than owners. A separate analysis by KFF, a health policy research nonprofit, found that minority-led households were less likely to report AC. Take Arizona’s Apache County, about half of which is within the Navajo Nation, with a median income of $40,300. Only about 68% of households have air conditioning. Other low-income counties in New Mexico, home to many of the nation’s warmest cities, have similarly low air-conditioning usage.
- population: Air conditioning usage patterns vary widely in some neighboring states and may reflect where people live within the state. While Arizona’s population is concentrated in Phoenix and Tucson, where temperatures often reach triple digits, New Mexico’s largest city is Albuquerque, located in a relatively mild high desert climate.
- infrastructure: Central AC is a new feature in home construction that only became popular in the mid-20th century. Pre-World War II housing dominates the Northeast and Midwest. For example, most units in New York City have window air conditioners rather than central air conditioning, which likely contributes to the state’s low air conditioning consumption.
How else do Americans stay calm?
According to air conditioner manufacturer Carrier, as climate change worsens, AC consumption now accounts for more than 10% of household electricity consumption in the United States. Alternative cooling methods are beginning to gain popularity.
According to the Environment and Energy Research Institute, passive cooling refers to methods of lowering indoor temperatures that do not necessarily require mechanical technology such as air conditioning. Such strategies include constructing green roofs and courtyards to aid shade and air circulation, and using dense materials such as concrete and brick to stabilize temperatures in hot interiors.
Read more about heat domes and tips for staying cool in this visual guide.
