Summer cooling demand jumps 19% year-over-year

The U.S. saw a 19% increase in cooling demand from May to July compared to last year.

Why it matters: Nationwide heat waves have been making headlines this summer. 

• As of this morning, around 40 million people are under heat warnings and advisories.

What’s happening: From May to July 2023, the U.S. recorded 631 Cooling Degree Days (CDDs), according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data.

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

• During the same period this year, there were 751 total CDDs, a 19% jump year-over-year. 

Details: CDDs are tracked across nine regions.

• In the West North Central region (the Dakotas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska), CDDs actually dropped during the period — by 2%.

• The New England, Middle Atlantic (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania), and Pacific (California, Oregon, Washington) regions had standout Junes, with CDDs doubling compared to last June.

The big picture: New England has recorded the least total CDDs since 2015, while the West South Central region (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas) has notched the most. 

• See historical CDDs by region. 

Looking ahead: The Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects August cooling demand to be 4% higher than last year — with 362 CDDs.