Keeping Soldiers Cool In The Middle East Cost The US Military A Whopping Amount
Willa Hart - Yesterday 4:00 PM
With summer comes increased temperatures, spiking humidity indexes, and -- for many Americans -- higher energy consumption. Although air conditioning can create year-round comfort for people with a cooling unit, it also sucks up energy, and along with that energy, your hard-earned dollars. In 2018, almost 12% of the average America's energy consumption is spent on A/C, an amount that averages some $265 per household, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Air conditioning costs can be high for the U.S. military, too. According to a 2011 report by NPR, troops stationed in hot areas like Iraq and Afghanistan have historically needed to have access to air conditioning. In these regions -- where the temperature regularly reaches into the high 90s during the summer (via Champion Traveler) -- there have been huge costs associated with keeping American troops cool and comfortable during active military conflicts like the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan. In fact, according to some expert estimates, fuel and infrastructure costs for cooling systems in Iraq and Afghanistan added up to more than $20 billion per year in 2011 (per NPR).
Why A/C Costs So Much
https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/keeping-soldiers-cool-in-the-middle-east-cost-the-us-military-a-whopping-amount/ar-AA11qWbN?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=2246be1bef994004be6c92ebada5c205
