The Cost of Heatwaves

Heatwaves are more than a stretch of uncomfortable weather. They can come with a significant economic, health and social cost — affecting households, businesses, governments and communities.

As extreme heat becomes more frequent and intense, communities across Canada are having to think differently about how they prepare for hot weather.

The hidden cost of extreme heat

The most obvious cost of a heatwave can be higher electricity bills. Air conditioners, fans and heat pumps run longer as people try to keep homes and businesses cool. For households already facing high living costs, several days of extreme heat can add another financial burden.

Businesses can also feel the impact. Outdoor workers may need more frequent breaks, while construction, agriculture, landscaping and other heat-sensitive industries can experience reduced productivity. Some businesses may have to change working hours or temporarily suspend outdoor operations.

There can also be damage to roads, infrastructure and equipment when extreme heat reaches unusual levels.

The health cost

The biggest cost of a heatwave can be measured in human health.

Extreme heat can increase the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. It can also make existing health problems worse, particularly among older adults, young children and people who spend extended periods outdoors.

Hospitals and emergency services can face additional pressure during prolonged periods of extreme heat.

For families, the consequences can include medical expenses, missed work and lost income.

New Brunswick is not immune

New Brunswick has traditionally experienced a more moderate climate than many parts of Canada, but that does not mean the province is protected from extreme heat.

Saint John, Fredericton, Moncton and communities across the province can experience periods of unusually hot weather. Humidity can make conditions feel even hotter, increasing the strain on people who work or spend significant amounts of time outdoors.

For communities that have not historically relied heavily on air conditioning, extreme heat can present an additional challenge. Homes, apartments and public buildings may not always be designed with prolonged heat in mind.

The cost to workers

Heat can have a direct impact on workplace productivity and safety.

Outdoor workers in construction, road maintenance, forestry, agriculture and other industries can be particularly vulnerable. Employers may need to provide additional water, cooling areas, rest breaks and schedule changes.

Those measures have a cost, but so does failing to take precautions.

A heat-related workplace injury can mean medical treatment, lost wages, reduced productivity and increased costs for employers and the broader economy.

The cost to cities

Municipalities also have to prepare.

Cities may need to establish cooling centres, increase public messaging, check on vulnerable residents and adjust emergency-response plans.

Urban areas can become especially hot because pavement, buildings and other surfaces absorb and retain heat. Trees, parks and shaded areas can help reduce temperatures, but expanding and maintaining green infrastructure also requires investment.

That raises an important question: Is it cheaper to prepare for extreme heat now, or pay the much larger costs after a heat emergency occurs?

What can be done?

Preparing for heatwaves does not necessarily require enormous investments.

Simple measures can make a difference:

• Planting and protecting trees.
• Increasing shade in public spaces.
• Improving insulation and ventilation in homes.
• Making cooling centres easily accessible.
• Checking on elderly neighbours and other vulnerable residents.
• Providing better heat protection for outdoor workers.
• Improving public warnings during extreme heat.
• Designing new buildings with hotter summers in mind.

These investments can help reduce health risks while making communities more comfortable and resilient.

A growing cost of climate change

The cost of heatwaves is not limited to the price of electricity or the expense of running an air conditioner.

It includes lost productivity, pressure on hospitals, emergency response, workplace disruptions, infrastructure impacts and, most importantly, the potential loss of life.

For New Brunswick communities, preparing for extreme heat should increasingly be viewed as an investment in public safety.

The question is no longer simply “How hot will it get?”

It is also “How much will it cost if we aren’t prepared?”

Bottom line

Heatwaves may last only a few days, but their consequences can last much longer. Preparing homes, workplaces and communities before the next extreme heat event arrives could save money — and potentially save lives.