Heat Wave Drives Surge in Air Conditioning Across U.S.

San Francisco and other regions see sharp rise in home cooling systems as temperatures soar

Mar. 22, 2026 at 10:29pm

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A heat wave has led to a surge in air conditioning usage across the United States, with more than half of San Francisco area homes now having air conditioning for the first time. The trend is seen in other regions as well, as people seek relief from rising temperatures that are 30-40 degrees above average in some areas. Experts say the increased reliance on air conditioning is fueling climate change while also helping people cope with its consequences.

Why it matters

The rapid adoption of air conditioning, even in historically temperate regions, highlights the growing impact of climate change and the need to find more sustainable cooling solutions. While air conditioning can save lives and improve productivity, it also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, raising concerns about long-term environmental impacts.

The details

The San Francisco area saw a 47% increase in homes with primary air conditioning between 2015 and 2023, reaching over 600,000 units. Other regions like Seattle and Denver have also seen double-digit increases in recent years. However, some areas like Atlanta have seen only slight changes, remaining highly air-conditioned. Experts note that many buildings, especially in places unaccustomed to intense heat, were not designed with alternative cooling methods in mind, leading to the heavy reliance on air conditioning.

  • On Friday, March 22, 2026, the first day of spring, San Francisco hit 90 degrees.
  • In 2023, about 93% of occupied American housing units had primary air conditioning, up from 89% in 2015.

The players

Lucas W. Davis

A business professor at the University of California, Berkeley who has studied the spread of air conditioning.

Dorit Aviv

An assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania and the director of the Thermal Architecture Lab there.

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What they’re saying

“It doesn't take too many heat waves before you see a lot of air-conditioning, even in places like the Pacific Northwest.”

— Lucas W. Davis, Business professor

“It's all about the body's heat balance, and there are multiple ways we can achieve that. But this country is so saturated with air-conditioners that we think one control — the temperature on the thermostat — is going to make us feel better.”

— Dorit Aviv, Assistant professor

What’s next

Experts say the increased reliance on air conditioning is a long-term trend that is likely to continue as the world gets hotter and richer. Policymakers and researchers will need to grapple with the environmental impacts of this shift and explore more sustainable cooling solutions.

The takeaway

The surge in air conditioning usage across the U.S., even in historically temperate regions, highlights the growing impact of climate change and the need to find more environmentally-friendly cooling solutions. While air conditioning can provide relief, its heavy energy demands and greenhouse gas emissions exacerbate the very problem it is meant to address.