From the inspection file
The 12 metros with the most cooling degree days
Twelve large US metros ordered by annual cooling degree days, base 65F, from NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals: the places that work an air conditioner hardest.
InspectedOctober 18, 2026figures as pulled
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The System Lifespan Index ranked 12 noaa degree days in metro, sorted by cooling degree days, annual normal. Every number below comes straight from the source data, not an estimate.
1. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
Cooling degree days, annual normal: 4,989
2. Urban Honolulu, HI
Cooling degree days, annual normal: 4,767
3. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Cooling degree days, annual normal: 4,765
4. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
Cooling degree days, annual normal: 4,656
5. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
Cooling degree days, annual normal: 4,046
6. Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
Cooling degree days, annual normal: 3,929
7. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
Cooling degree days, annual normal: 3,928
8. North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL
Cooling degree days, annual normal: 3,721
9. Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV
Cooling degree days, annual normal: 3,720
10. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
Cooling degree days, annual normal: 3,452
11. Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL
Cooling degree days, annual normal: 3,446
12. Tucson, AZ
Cooling degree days, annual normal: 3,424