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Analysis of cooling degree days (CDD) shows that 97% of 241 major U.S. cities experienced increased cooling demand since 1970, with an average increase of 37%. This trend, combined with a 31% rise in residential electricity prices between 2020 and 2025, increases the financial burden on households, particularly low-income families. In 2020, the ten states with the highest cooling costs saw average household expenditures between $378 in Hawaii and $712 in Arizona. Future projections suggest U.S. household cooling demand will rise 43% by 2050. The report also highlights systemic risks, including electricity grid strain, increased carbon emissions from fossil-fuel-reliant cooling, and the urban heat island effect caused by waste heat from air conditioners.

The document highlights the economic and environmental benefits of transitioning US households from electric resistance heating to heat pumps, noting potential annual national savings of nearly $20 billion and a significant reduction in peak electricity demand.

Research indicates that while 74% of people in Britain consider climate change important, there is deep distrust in politics and a tendency to avoid the topic due to negative feelings. The report recommends that communicators ditch technical jargon, focus on positive future visions, and avoid overestimating opposition to net zero. For policymakers, it suggests prioritizing local infrastructure that lowers energy bills, accelerating inclusive solar panel roll-out, cracking down on pollution, and investing in genuine local engagement to counter top-down distrust.

Over 10 million US homes still rely on delivered fuels like oil and propane, which are expensive and polluting. Transitioning these households to air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) and heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) could save US customers nearly $8 billion annually in energy bills and significantly reduce carbon and air pollution. The document advocates for state-level policy changes, such as allowing fuel switching in utility energy efficiency programs and implementing clean heat standards, alongside targeted outreach and contractor training to support rural and low-income households.

Global Witness contends that hydrogen heating is an inefficient and dangerous alternative to heat pumps, pushed by gas companies to avoid stranded assets. The briefing criticizes the UK Energy Bill for introducing a hydrogen levy on consumers and proposing forced participation in heating trials in locations like Redcar or Whitby, Ellesmere Port.

The report identifies three categories of information tools to support residential thermal retrofits: those that raise awareness of benefits, those that assist in planning and investment, and those that train professionals. It finds that while individual tools like detailed billing or in-home displays can reduce energy consumption by 1-10% or more, their effectiveness depends on implementation factors such as 'opt-out' participation, user education, and the quality of professional certification. The document emphasizes that information tools are generally cost-effective and can significantly catalyze energy efficiency investments when tailored to consumer needs.

Global Witness and a coalition of environmental and energy groups are calling on the UK House of Lords to support amendment 56 to the Energy Bill. The groups argue that the bill could force up to 2,000 homes in proposed 'Hydrogen Village' trials to switch to hydrogen heating, which they describe as dangerous and expensive. They specifically highlight concerns regarding expanded access powers for gas companies to enter homes and the lack of guaranteed opt-out rights for residents in potential trial areas such as Redcar, Teeside, Whitby, or Ellesmere Port.