You don’t need us to tell you, but it’s hot outside—and getting hotter—specifically for those living in cities. An extensive report from Climate Central revealed that 41 million Americans live in urban areas where temperatures are at least 8 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than their rural surroundings, creating heat islands that, combined with heat waves due to climate change, can be dangerous for those living in them.
Cities are doing what they can to alleviate the effects—and according to our data, so are residents living in these communities. Overwhelming, our most popular category during the summer months is the one that’s the most painful in sweltering temps: Moving. Taskrabbit clients stay cool by outsourcing Taskers to help with heavy lifting and transport their belongings, thanks to categories like Heavy Lifting and Truck-Assisted Help Moving, our newest service.
In 2024, the need to stay cool is more prevalent than it was at this time last year. Our analysis of completed jobs on the platform reveals that clients are increasingly prioritizing home projects that can help alleviate the heat: installing air conditioning, adding green space to indoor and outdoor areas, and building shaded structures in their yards, to name a few. So, sit back, grab a cool drink, and let’s dive into the data.
America’s Hottest Cities
Which cities are feeling the heat most? Nearly all of the cities analyzed (47 out of 50) in a study by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) showed significant warming between 1985 and 2020, with the west coast and eastern third of the country experiencing the greatest warming effect. Across all 50 cities studied, the average warming intensity is 5.19 Fahrenheit since 1985.
Our top cities on Taskrabbit all have a UHI or Urban Heat Index—AKA how much hotter it is in the city than the surrounding area—of at least 7 degrees Fahrenheit and are all showing notable warming trends. Of these cities, New York City is the hottest compared to its surrounding rural area and is warming the fastest, while Denver has the lowest UHI and is warming at a lower rate.
Beating the Heat by Going Green
One reason it’s so much hotter in cities? There’s less shade and moisture than you would find in a natural landscape. Adding green space in the form of plants and vegetation is the number one recommendation of environmental experts to help alleviate this, and homeowners are following their advice.
According to our data, people are making more improvements to their backyards than ever (+12% increase in backyard tasks year-over-year), specifically focusing on landscaping (up 15% from last year). For example, we’ve seen people asking for help planting new trees for shade cover and adding flower beds to small outdoor patios.
Even more interestingly, our users are adding plant walls to their homes, inside and out. More people are asking for help mounting plant walls (+38%), living walls (+28%), and moss walls (+33%) than ever before.
Those who may not have space to add plants to their walls are gravitating towards painting with cooler paint colors, which design experts have suggested help people feel cooler when in hotter climates.
Fun Shaded From the Sun
In addition to adding green space, shade can help an entire area stay cool. Taskrabbit users still want to spend time outside without overheating, and they’re investing more than ever in building outdoor structures to help them beat the heat.
Requests on Taskrabbit for pergolas (+5%), gazebos (+15%), outdoor bars (+44%), and BBQ areas (+17%) are all trending on the platform in our Yard Work and Furniture Assembly categories.
Air Conditioning Everywhere
The United States is already very well-air-conditioned. Nationwide, nearly 90% of homes have A/C, but historically there have been cities where air conditioning wasn’t common. For example, in 2015, only 21% of Seattle homes had air conditioning, but that number has nearly doubled due to heat waves of 100 degrees or higher becoming more frequent in the area.
In other cities like Austin, where sweltering heat is the norm, city leaders are pushing for air conditioning to be a requirement in all residences due to an increasing amount of heat-related health emergencies in the summer months.
It’s no surprise then that our data shows an increasing demand for air conditioning as well. National requests for air conditioner installs have increased by 36% year over year on Taskrabbit. And because running the A/C can get expensive, we’re also seeing people invest in other solutions to help them stay cool without the high energy bill.
For example, requests for smart home installations, which can help air conditioners run most efficiently, have skyrocketed by 220% year over year. To keep the precious cool air in and the hot air out, people are also adding blackout curtains (+9%), exhaust fans (+15%), and insulation (+8%) to their living spaces.
Stay Cool this Summer with Taskrabbit
Even though it might take more effort than ever before to stay cool, Taskers can help with nearly any home task you’d rather do yourself, from Cleaning to Home Improvements to Electrical Help and beyond. And if you’re moving this summer, don’t hesitate to enlist Taskers to help. The more hands on deck, the less overheating for everyone involved.
Earn Extra Summer Spending Money as a Tasker
If you’re interested in helping your community members beat the heat and earn extra cash in the process, consider becoming a Tasker yourself! US Taskers earn an average of $53/hour Mounting (plant walls included!), $51/hr Painting those cool colors, $55/hr on Smart Home Installation, and $53/hr installing appliances like air conditioners.
