Why does San Francisco have some of the least air conditioned homes in the nation?

( KRON ) — The Bay Area’s most recent heat wave has been sweaty, to say the least. Luckily, central air conditioning is a thing (God bless you, technology).

Alas, despite being a hub for progressive technology, San Francisco homes are pretty foreign to the concept of built-in air conditioners, as a recently published study shows the city has some of the lowest rates of air-conditioned homes in the nation.

About half of San Francisco homes have built-in AC, which is about 20% less than the national average and nearly half of the rate of air-conditioned homes in Southern metros, according to the Brookings Institution study.

So, what gives? Why doesn’t a metro like San Francisco have as much access to built-in ACs that can solve our heat-related needs? Researchers say it’s not just the weather.

AGE OF HOME

Central air conditioning did not become widespread until the mid-20th century. As a result, central air conditioning is fairly standard in newer homes.

For example, 95% of post-1990 homes in the Northeast were built with central air conditioning, compared to less than 40% of homes built before 1940, according to the study.

RACE

Black, Latino, or Hispanic households are less likely to have air-conditioned homes, research shows. “The built environment in many historically Black neighborhoods — which lack of tree cover and more paved surfaces — compounds the problem,“ the study said.

In New York and Seattle, research shows white households have double the rate of air-conditioned homes as that of a Black household. In Detroit, that rate is nearly triple that of Black residents.

Additionally, researchers said that minority households are more likely to live in the hottest part of metro areas , increasing their risk of extreme heat.

INCOME

Having central air conditioning in your home is strongly related to your income, research shows.

According to the Brookings study, 60% of low-income households are air-conditioned versus 80% of the highest-income quartile. Researchers have clarified that income was defined by the median of the metro area.

Ironically, however, San Franciscans are some of the highest earners in the nation .

WEATHER

San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle have the lowest rates of air-conditioned homes in the nation, research shows. Weather is, of course, an obvious factor, as the Pacific Northwest has historically had milder summers, leading to less of a need for home cooling.

However, experts say these patterns may not last under the stresses of climate change. In 2021, a Pacific Northwest heatwave killed 54 people in Portland alone , marking more heat-related deaths than the state of Oregon has experienced in more than 20 years, studies show.

MOVING FORWARD

As climate change worsens our spells of extreme heat, researchers say policymakers should consider short-term solutions, such as distributing efficienct AC units to homeowners and landlords, “especially those who own older properties.”

“Many low-income households already face high housing and energy cost burdens and cannot afford the extra electricity costs associated with AC, so expanding utility subsidies (at least during heat waves) may be needed,” the study said in part.

Additionally, experts recommend increasing the rates of accessible cooling centers, which are proven to especially help low-income residents of color. Some San Francisco cooling centers can be found here .

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