Dive into Key Findings of Oregon Cooling Needs Study with Cool New Interactive Tools

The Oregon Department of Energy has two new interactive tools highlighting the important data and key findings of the Oregon Cooling Needs Study, which ODOE published in December 2023.

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 surveyed Oregonians across the state and gathered data by housing type and region to better understand cooling needs. It wasn’t a surprise to see the study’s findings that show significant need for cooling equipment in Oregon homes.

Interactive Tools

The Heat Vulnerability Index is an interactive, online geographic information systems tool created to identify and measure the relative vulnerability to heat impacts across counties and census tracts. The index synthesizes existing data and uses a standardized scoring system to allow for statewide comparison and analysis. The HVI visually displays all counties and census tracts and their relative vulnerability “scores” as a heat map.