Extreme Temperature Adaptation

Key Messages
Air Conditioning

Key Messages

• At-home air conditioning is an adaptive measure to cope with extreme heat.
• As local climate changes, extreme heat events are expected to occur more frequently and with greater intensity.
• The prevalence of at home air conditioning is associated with higher household incomes as well as home ownership.

Air conditioning

• In 2016 and 2017, 82% (79.3%, 83.9%) of Simcoe Muskoka households responding to the Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS) survey reported having air conditioning in the home.
• Those living with low income, renters, and those living in rural communities were less likely to have access to air conditioning at home.
• No significant difference was observed between 2016 and 2017 in self-reported access to air conditioning.

Further Reading

For more information on extreme temperature and climate change, see:

• SMDHU Climate Change Story Map and Vulnerability Assessment
• Simcoe Muskoka Climate Change in Our Region
• Simcoe Muskoka Heat Health Effects pages
• Simcoe Muskoka HealthSTATS Extreme Temperature Climate Variability and Health Impacts pages
• Environment and Climate Change Canada: Warm Weather Hazards
• Environment and Climate Change Canada: Historic Climate Data

Page Last Modified: August 18, 2020.