The 2023 North Texas summer ranked as the third-hottest in Dallas-Fort Worth history, trailing only 2011 (71 days) and 1980 (69 days). For homeowners in Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Prosper, and across Collin County, these statistics translate directly to doubled July electric bills, six months of continuous AC operation, and equipment that wears out years ahead of schedule.
125 Years of DFW Heat Records
The National Weather Service has tracked temperatures at DFW Airport (and predecessor stations) since 1898. These records reveal both the extremes North Texas faces and the unmistakable trend toward hotter summers.
| Year | Days ≥100°F | Peak Temp | Notable Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 71 | 110°F | All-time record for 100°F days; 40 consecutive |
| 1980 | 69 | 113°F | All-time high temp; 42 consecutive 100°F days |
| 2023 | 55 | 110°F | 3rd hottest summer; deadliest heat year |
| 2022 | 47 | 109°F | 5th hottest summer on record |
| 2024 | 23 | 107°F | Near average (wet spring reduced heat) |
All-Time Temperature Records
- Hottest temperature ever recorded: 113°F (June 26-27, 1980)
- Most 100°F days in a single year: 71 days (2011)
- Longest consecutive 100°F streak: 42 days (June 23–August 3, 1980)
- Years with zero 100°F days: Only 1906 and 1973 in 125+ years
Source: National Weather Service Fort Worth/Dallas
Cooling Degree Days: The Real Measure of HVAC Demand
What Are Cooling Degree Days?
Cooling Degree Days (CDD) measure cumulative cooling demand by tracking how much daily average temperatures exceed 65°F. One day averaging 75°F equals 10 cooling degree days. The higher the annual total, the more an air conditioning system runs.
North Texas vs. Other Major Cities
| Location | Annual CDD | vs. North Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | 4,607 | +67% |
| Miami, FL | 4,575 | +66% |
| Houston, TX | 2,940 | +7% |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | 2,756 | Baseline |
| Atlanta, GA | 1,810 | -34% |
| U.S. National Average | ~1,200 | -57% |
| Chicago, IL | 830 | -70% |
| Seattle, WA | 173 | -94% |
Practical Impact of 2,756 Cooling Degree Days
North Texas requires 2.3 times more cooling than the average American city. This translates directly to:
- • 2.3x the compressor runtime compared to national average
- • 2.3x the electrical consumption for cooling
- • Accelerated equipment wear from extended operation
- • Higher failure rates during extreme heat events
AC Adoption: Texas Leads the Nation
The U.S. Energy Information Administration's 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey provides definitive data on air conditioning penetration by state.
| Metric | Texas | U.S. Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any air conditioning | 95% | 89% | +6 points |
| Central air conditioning | 83% | 67% | +16 points |
| Ceiling fan usage | 88% | 72% | +16 points |
Total Texas homes: 10.26 million | With air conditioning: 9.74 million (95%) | With central AC: 8.51 million (83%)
Equipment Lifespan: Hot Climates Destroy AC Systems Faster
Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) data shows air conditioning units in Texas last 5 years less than identical equipment in moderate climates.
| Climate Zone | Expected AC Lifespan | Annual Operating Hours | Peak Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas/Hot Climate | 10-15 years | ~2,300 hours | Apr-Oct (7 months) |
| Moderate Climate | 15-20 years | ~1,200 hours | Jun-Sep (4 months) |
| Mild Climate | 18-25 years | ~400 hours | Jul-Aug (2 months) |
Why Equipment Fails Faster
- Extended season: 7 months operation vs. 2-4 months elsewhere
- Design exceedance: Regular temps above rated capacity
- Continuous stress: Hours of maximum-load operation
- Capacity degradation: 25-45% BTU loss at 100°F+
ASHRAE Design Temperatures for DFW
- 5-year extreme: 101.1°F
- 10-year extreme: 102.9°F
- 20-year extreme: 104.7°F
- 50-year extreme: 106.9°F
Energy Consumption: Texas Uses 3x More for Cooling
| Region | AC % of Home Energy | Annual AC Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Northwest | 2% | ~$75 |
| Northeast | 4% | ~$180 |
| U.S. National | 6% | $265 |
| Texas | 18% | ~$525 |
| Florida | 28% | $540 |
Texas Energy Profile
- • Texas leads the nation in residential sector total electricity consumption
- • 95%+ of Texas homes use air conditioning
- • ~60% of Texas households use electricity as primary heating source
- • Average monthly consumption: 1,096 kWh (27% above national average of 863 kWh)
What the Data Means for North Texas Homeowners
| Metric | North Texas | National Average | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual cooling degree days | 2,756 | ~1,200 | 2.3x cooling demand |
| Days ≥100°F (avg) | 17-20 | <5 | Extended equipment stress |
| Central AC adoption | 83% | 67% | Higher-capacity systems |
| Expected AC lifespan | 10-15 years | 15-20 years | 5 years shorter |
| AC share of energy use | 18% | 6% | 3x cooling costs |
| Monthly electricity use | 1,096 kWh | 863 kWh | 27% higher bills |
Practical Implications
- The "standard" 15-year AC lifespan does not apply in North Texas. Plan for 10-12 years with proper maintenance, 8-10 years without.
- Summer energy bills reflect physics, not price gouging. When outdoor temperature reaches 100°F and indoor setpoint is 72°F, HVAC systems run near-continuously.
- Maintenance is not optional. An unmaintained system loses 5% efficiency per year. In this climate, that compounds into hundreds of dollars annually.
- Recent summers have exceeded historical averages. Planning based on 20-year averages may underestimate current cooling demand.
Use our repair vs. replace calculator to determine if your aging system should be replaced, and see our maintenance checklist to maximize equipment life.
How We Sourced This Data
Federal Government:
- • National Weather Service Fort Worth/Dallas (weather.gov/fwd)
- • U.S. Energy Information Administration (eia.gov)
- • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
- • U.S. Department of Energy (energy.gov)
Industry Organizations:
- • Air Conditioning Contractors of America (acca.org)
- • ASHRAE (ashrae.org)
- • Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Association