A dangerous heatwave is affecting much of the eastern United States over the July Fourth weekend. Millions face temperatures well above normal as a heat dome spreads across the region. Extreme heat warnings are active in various states, with forecasters alerting to potentially hazardous conditions through the holiday.

Air-Conditioning Access Varies by Region

Alaska and Hawaii stand out in terms of limited air-conditioning access. In Alaska, 93 percent of homes reportedly lack any form. Hawaii follows closely, with nearly half of households without air conditioning. The Northwest and Northeast regions also show limited access. Vermont has over a quarter of households without air conditioning, and in Montana, the figure is similar. In Washington, more than a third lack access.

Conversely, the Southeast exhibits widespread air-conditioning coverage. States like Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana report less than one percent of homes without air conditioning.

The Census Bureau uses a machine learning model to estimate these figures. This model combines data from the American Housing Survey and the American Community Survey to predict responses regarding air conditioning access.

U.S. Air-Conditioning Use in 2020

In 2022, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) revealed that around 90 percent of U.S. households used air conditioning in 2020. Two-thirds of households utilized central AC or a central heat pump as their primary cooling equipment.

The Midwest and South have the highest air-conditioning usage, both at about 92 to 93 percent. The West, however, has the lowest at 73 percent. This region includes various climate zones, such as the marine areas along the Pacific Coast, where air-conditioning use drops to 49 percent.

While central systems dominate most regions, the Northeast primarily uses individual units. These include window and wall units, mini-splits, and portable air conditioning units.

Heatwave Continues Across Eastern USA

A heat dome has enveloped a significant portion of the eastern U.S., coinciding with the July Fourth festivities and bringing record temperatures. As of Saturday, the National Weather Service has issued extreme heat warnings across parts of New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky.

AccuWeather forecasters highlighted that temperatures are soaring 10 to 20 degrees above average. In Washington, D.C., dangerous heat is predicted during this historic celebration period. AccuWeather meteorologist Dan Pydynowski advises those outdoors to stay hydrated, seek shade or air conditioning, and recognize heat-related illness signs. It’s also crucial to have a plan to find shelter from any developing storms.