As heat waves become more common in certain parts of the country, Canadians are increasingly relying on air conditioning and similar cooling devices, according to new statistics from Canada.
As experts have pointed out, the increase in the frequency and intensity of heat waves is at least partly due to changes in climate. This also leads to a heat wave in areas that may not be prepared, as it led to 619 deaths, as in the case of the British Columbia Heat Dome in June 2021.
As of this year, 68% of households have used related methods such as air conditioners and heat pumps to offset the summer heat, according to a report by Statistics Canada.
This is up from 64% in 2021.
The report shows that air conditioning usage varies by region, with 83% of Ontario households reporting that they have air conditioning, while British Columbia was the least likely at 45%.
Statistics Canada says the contrast between regional use of air conditioners is likely due to differences in local climate. For example, the agency citing historical environmental data shows that southern Ontario typically sees average summer temperatures higher than other parts of Canada.
This means that air conditioning may not be considered necessary as British Columbia has historically no more intense summers than southern Ontario.
In the case of the 2021 heat wave, this meant that many people suffer from the effects of extreme heat when temperatures skyrocketed, as few residents have access to the air conditioning of their homes.
Why don't more people have AC?
The simplest reason why households don't have air conditioning units or other equipment is cost, as they have the weight of hardware, installation, service, consumption, additions and budget.
Statistics Canada says in 2025, 82% of households making more than $150,000 a year before taxes report having air conditioners.
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This means that even in the cooler parts of the country where AC is not considered as needed as hotter than normal areas, it is much more likely that high-income households will invest in equipment anyway.
Not all households have that option in their budget. The report shows only 55% of households making $50,000 a year before taxes are readily available to air conditioners.
According to the report, homeowners were more likely to consume air conditioners, compared to 52% of renters, compared to 76%.
In other cases, it may actually be the age of the building that explains why some households don't have air conditioning. According to the report, 80% of homes originally built since 2001 were air conditioned, while 58% of homes built before 1960 were not.
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Statistics Canada also explains how many users have said they are employing different strategies to reduce energy consumption, save money and extend the life of their equipment.
For example, agents report that over half of respondents have reported that they regularly turn their air conditioners down or off when they are away from home for more than a week, and in some cases even adjust when they are away on weekends.
The report also explained that of people aged 15 to 64 (which are noted to be “aged”), 26% reported that they adjusted or turned off their air conditioners at work or school on a certain day.
In another report, Statistics Canada identifies four of what is called “heat-blockable” group of populations.
These include elderly people, elderly people living alone, elderly people with at least one health condition (i.e. hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes), and elderly people living alone in at least one health condition.
Advocates from several states and service providers, as well as local communities across the country, are pushing for air conditioners to be more economically accessible.
In British Columbia, BC Hydro announced last year that some low-income and vulnerable customers can apply to receive free air conditioning units.
Edmonton's group, called Climate Justice, is working to address the extreme heat impacts on renters' health and safety, and aims to gain more protection for those who cannot afford AC units.
In Ontario, the provincial government has declared “access to cooling” as a human right.
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