Hotter Climate, Higher Cooling Demand

Climate Central reports that 97% of 240 analyzed U.S. locations saw an increase in annual cooling degree days (CDD) between 1970 and 2022, with the most significant rises in the Southwest, South, and Southeast. Projections suggest U.S. household cooling demand will increase by 71% by 2050, while global demand is expected to more than triple. The document highlights that rising demand can strain power grids, increase greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and HFCs, and exacerbate urban heat islands. It also notes a disproportionate energy burden on low-income and minority households, who may delay cooling use due to cost. Proposed solutions include transitioning to renewable energy, adopting high-efficiency heat pumps, and implementing building retrofits.

• Between 1970 and 2022, 232 out of 240 analyzed U.S. locations (97%) experienced an increase in annual cooling degree days (CDD), with the most pronounced increases occurring in the Southwest, South, and Southeast regions.
• Future cooling demand is projected to rise significantly: U.S. household demand is expected to increase by 71% by 2050, and global cooling demand is predicted to more than triple by the same year.
• Increased cooling demand creates several negative feedback loops and risks, including higher carbon emissions from fossil-fuel-based energy, the release of powerful greenhouse gases like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), increased strain on electricity grids, and the intensification of urban heat islands via waste heat.
• Low-income, Black, and Hispanic households face disproportionate energy burdens and lack of access to cooling; for example, low-income households in Arizona may wait until outdoor temperatures are 5° to 7°F higher than high-income households before starting home cooling.

APA

Climate Central (2023). Hotter Climate, Higher Cooling Demand. https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/hotter-climate-higher-cooling-demand-2023

Chicago

Climate Central. Hotter Climate, Higher Cooling Demand. 2023. https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/hotter-climate-higher-cooling-demand-2023.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Central |title=Hotter Climate, Higher Cooling Demand |date=19 July 2023 |url=https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/hotter-climate-higher-cooling-demand-2023 |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatecentral2023hotter, author = {{Climate Central}}, title = {{Hotter Climate, Higher Cooling Demand}}, institution = {Climate Central}, year = {2023}, month = jul, url = {https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/hotter-climate-higher-cooling-demand-2023}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }