Heatwave Highlights Regional Air-Conditioning Differences in U.S.

Heatwave Sweeps Eastern U.S.

A severe heatwave has enveloped much of the eastern United States during the July Fourth weekend. The National Weather Service has issued extreme heat warnings for multiple states, cautioning residents of potentially hazardous conditions. Forecasts predict temperatures significantly above normal under an extensive heat dome.

Census Bureau Air-Conditioning Data

The Census Bureau data exposes notable regional disparities in air-conditioning access. Alaska registered the highest percentage of homes without any type of air-conditioning, around 93 percent. Hawaii followed, with nearly half of its households lacking air-conditioning.

In states such as Vermont and Montana, over a quarter of households lacked air-conditioning. Washington showed an even higher figure, with more than a third of homes unequipped.

The Southeast demonstrated the widest air-conditioning access, with states like Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana reporting less than one percent of households without it.

Innovative Census Bureau Methodology

The Census Bureau employed experimental data through a cross-survey modeling technique. This approach utilizes data from the American Housing Survey to educate a machine learning model. The model then estimates likely responses in the American Community Survey (ACS) concerning air-conditioning usage.

Air Conditioning Nationwide

According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), nearly 90 percent of U.S. households utilized air-conditioning in 2020. Two-thirds of these households relied on central AC or central heat pumps.

The highest air-conditioning usage was recorded in the Midwest and South, accounting for 92 and 93 percent, respectively. The Western region had the lowest usage at 73 percent.

The West’s lower usage included various climate zones, such as the Pacific Coast’s marine climate area, with residential air-conditioning at 49 percent.

Though central systems dominated nationwide, half of Northeast households primarily used individual units, including window, wall, mini-splits, and portable types.

Continued Heatwave Threats

A persistent heat dome kept temperatures high across the eastern U.S., marking it one of the year’s hottest holiday weekends. Saturday morning saw extreme heat warnings across parts of New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky.

AccuWeather meteorologists reported vast regions under intense heat, with temperatures 10 to 20 degrees higher than averages.

Dan Pydynowski of AccuWeather emphasized the dangerous heat expected in the nation’s capital during the historic celebration. He advised outdoor attendees to drink ample water, seek shade or air conditioning when possible, and recognize symptoms of heat-related illness. Additionally, preparing a safe refuge from potential storms is recommended.