Climate Matters: AC demand increasing for Missouri schools

The summer heat lingers as students and teachers return to the classrooms and these back-to-school days are heating up. Schools nationwide face increased cooling demand from hotter temperatures while some still do not have access to AC in a warming climate.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office estimates a third of schools in the U.S. need to update existing HVAC systems as cooling demand continues to grow. Energy needed for heating and cooling can be measured in degree days throughout the year. Degree days measure the difference you need to heat or cool your home to get it to a comfortable 65 degrees inside. On a hot summer day at 90 degrees your AC has to work harder than on a mild 70-degree day and degree days reflect this energy budget.

Cooling degree days are on the rise just about everywhere including many spots in Central Missouri. Columbia has seen a 10% increase in cooling degree days in the last half-century while Jefferson City has seen cooling demand jump over 30% in that same time.

Rob Sachse with Aire Serv Heating and Cooling says that some recent years have been "extreme" with long stretches of high heat. That puts a strain on scheduling repairs as technicians become busy in the warmer months. But Rob says this past year with some rain was better and calls start to come down as we head out of the summer.