Oregon Department of Energy Study Shows Significant Need for Cooling Equipment in Oregon Homes

Media Contact: Jennifer Kalez, 503-480-9239

SALEM – Many Oregonians do not have adequate cooling equipment at home and face significant health and safety risks during extreme heat waves, according to a new study commissioned by the Oregon Department of Energy.

Following the 2021 heat dome event, during which at least 100 Oregonians died of heat-related illnesses – often in their own homes – the Oregon Legislature directed the Oregon Department of Energy to report on the cooling needs of Oregon households that live in the housing types most vulnerable to heat. The study focused on publicly supported housing, manufactured and mobile homes, RVs being used as housing, and agricultural workforce housing, and found that over half of these types of homes have inadequate cooling equipment.

The study, published in December 2023, surveyed Oregonians across the state to gather data by housing type and region to better understand cooling needs, including whether cooling equipment is permanent, temporary or portable, or unavailable or inadequate. On average, across all housing types and Oregon regions, nearly 60 percent of households surveyed had an immediate or long-term need for better cooling equipment. Among all survey respondents, 84 percent reported interest in improving their cooling systems.

Climate trends and projections show that Oregon summers are expected to get hotter – with multi-day heat waves putting public health at risk. Oregon’s historical heat index for summer days over 90 degrees is 13 days per year – but by mid-century, the projected number of days over 90 degrees is expected to range from 25 to 48 days per year, depending on how fast the world reduces carbon emissions. Addressing cooling needs in Oregon homes will be vital in the coming decades.

The Cooling Needs Study provided high-level estimated investments needed to meet statewide cooling needs. It considered two scenarios for each housing type, including the type and size of cooling equipment as well as additional costs for building envelope upgrades or minor repairs to support equipment installation. The estimated cost when considering baseline health and safety needs to avoid the worst effects of extreme heat events is over $600 million to install heat pumps in manufactured, multifamily, and agricultural workforce housing, and temporary air conditioning in recreational vehicles. To more comprehensively address the need to properly cool homes, the cost estimate is over $1 billion to install heat pumps in bedrooms and common spaces in most housing types, and permanent air conditioning in recreational vehicles.

The Oregon Legislature passed a “Climate Package” of bills in 2023 that included a new goal to install at least 500,000 heat pumps in Oregon homes by 2030.

“As climate change brings hotter summers to Oregon communities, there is a clear need to adapt our homes to include potentially life-saving cooling equipment,” said Oregon Department of Energy Director Janine Benner. “Our agency has programs in place that can help Oregonians access heat pumps, experts that can help identify energy efficiency improvements, and other resources for Oregonians.”

A pair of ODOE heat pump incentive programs are helping install heat pumps in Oregon rental homes and owner-occupied homes across the state. Later this year, the agency looks forward to rolling out Home Energy Rebate programs funded by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act that will further help Oregonians access heat pumps and other energy efficient improvements.

The Cooling Needs Study was completed on the Oregon Department of Energy’s behalf by Good Company (a division of Parametrix), in partnership with Verde, an Oregon environmental justice nonprofit. Several community-based organizations conducted outreach to Oregon’s most vulnerable communities to support study efforts, and experts across the state lent their time and insight. The Cooling Needs Study is available on the Oregon Department of Energy’s website: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/Data-and-Reports/Documents/2023-Oregon-Cooling-Needs-Study.pdf