Data centers can raise temperatures in nearby neighborhoods
Research indicates that data centers can increase the temperature of nearby neighborhoods by 1-2 degrees Celsius on average due to waste heat. These facilities also consume substantial amounts of water and electricity, drawing scrutiny in Colorado, which hosts 57 data centers, primarily in the Denver area.
Research indicates that data centers contribute to localized temperature increases, warming adjacent neighborhoods by 1-2 degrees Celsius on average. A study by Arizona State University specifically found that data centers in Phoenix elevated downwind temperatures by 0.7 to 0.9 degrees Celsius, with peaks up to 2.2 degrees Celsius. Another international study observed temperature rises of 2 degrees Celsius around data centers outside urban areas, occasionally reaching 9 degrees Celsius.
In Colorado, data centers have attracted attention for their substantial water and energy demands. Each facility typically uses between 30 and 60 megawatts of electricity, a figure expected to climb with increasing demand. The Congressional Research Service notes that one megawatt can power approximately 800 homes. Colorado is currently home to 57 data centers, with 45 of these concentrated in the Denver metropolitan area.