South, Rockies lead 27% increase in April cooling demand

Driven by increases in the South, the U.S. saw a warmer April compared to last year, according to the latest national weather data. 

The big picture: The month, a segue into cooling season, has recorded two consecutive years of nationwide cooling demand growth, with Cooling Degree Days (CDDs) rising 27 percent compared to April 2024. 

• Catch up: CDDs measure cooling demand by subtracting 65 ℉ from a day’s average temperature.

What’s happening: Along the Pacific coast, and across the Midwest through the Northeast, temperatures stayed relatively cool, with the areas showing near zero CDDs, per the data. In New England, cooling demand remained unchanged compared to last April.

• However, the Southeast and Gulf Coast states saw cooling demand rise during the month, with CDDs in each area growing over 25 percent versus last year.
• Bring ’em home: Throughout the Rockies, from Idaho to New Mexico, cooling demand jumped 82 percent year-over-year.

Looking ahead: The U.S. experienced above-normal cooling demand during May and June 2024, with CDDs increasing by 46 and 44 percent, respectively, compared to May and June 2023. 

• “If temps are normal [this year], sales could be off during May in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Great Lakes, and Southwest regions just because of the challenging weather comp,” HARDI analyst Brian Loftus told Homepros in an email. 

Yes, but: In July and August, CDDs were “at or below normal,” he added, “so it’s easier to attain unit growth during those months this year against that easy weather comp.”

What’s next: May figures will be released during the first week of June.