The U.S. Census Bureau has released a new experimental tool, Local Air Conditioning Estimates (LACE), designed to help state and local governments identify communities most vulnerable to summer heat waves due to limited access to air conditioning.\n\nWhile more than nine out of 10 U.S. households have AC, this national average masks significant local disparities. LACE provides prevalence data at state, county, and tract levels, enabling community planners to assess heat exposure risk and compare AC access across regions.\n\nThis tool addresses a critical need for consistent local estimates, which have previously been inconsistent or lacked comparability. LACE aims to support municipalities in developing targeted strategies to mitigate extreme heat dangers and improve public safety during hot weather.
