Heat adaptation in central Asia: Household cooling choices

This study investigates factors influencing household cooling choices in Central Asia, focusing on air-conditioning and fans/sunscreen films. Using data from the 2023 "Household Access to Energy in the Fergana Valley" survey in the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the analysis employs a multinomial probit model to examine socioeconomic, environmental, and power supply factors. Across the three countries, it finds that 48% of households use fans or sunscreen films (without air-conditioning), 30% use no cooling, and 22% use air-conditioning, noting significant variations between countries. Cooling degree days (CDD) significantly impact cooling appliance adoption, with higher CDD regions more likely to use cooling solutions. Power outages negatively affect air-conditioning adoption but not fans/sunscreen films, highlighting the importance of power stability. Robustness checks confirm that power supply reliability is crucial for cooling choices. The findings suggest policy implications, including the potential of solar panels to meet summer energy demands. This research underscores the need to address power sector reliability and climate adaptation in vulnerable regions.