Vermont has long treated air conditioning as optional. A warming climate could be changing that.
Summary
Vermont has traditionally seen air conditioning as a luxury rather than a necessity, with one of the lowest rates of ownership in the U.S. However, rising temperatures and extreme heat warnings suggest that more people in the state are now seeking air conditioning to cope with hotter summers. Climate data shows a clear increase in hot days over recent decades, linked to changing weather patterns and increased humidity.Key Facts
- Vermont has the third-lowest rate of air conditioner ownership in the continental U.S.
- About two-thirds of Vermont homes have some type of air conditioning, compared to 89% nationally.
- Only 7% of Vermont homes have central air conditioning.
- The number of days with temperatures above 80°F has increased from 51 days per year (1950-1980) to 64 days per year (2000 onwards).
- Days above 85°F have risen from 22 days to 31 days per year in the same periods.
- The National Weather Service issued extreme heat warnings for parts of Vermont with temperatures feeling like 105°F due to humidity.
- Heat pumps, which provide both heating and cooling, are becoming more popular despite their high cost.
- Increasing humidity in summer contributes to warmer days and nights because moisture holds heat near the ground.
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