Columbia is set to record its hottest September ever by a very comfortable margin, driving up energy costs amid high inflation and swirling data center concerns.

Through September 28th, the average temperature was 77.1 degrees Fahrenheit, besting the previous record of 75.8 degrees set back in 1897.

This September ran about 7.5 degrees above normal, more than twice the average rate of climate change over the last 50 years. Average low temperatures were the warmest on record at 67 degrees, and average highs were the third highest on record at 87.2 degrees. Only one day all month was cooler than normal: September 24th.

The heat comes amid a strengthening El Niño, which raises global temperatures. This one is projected to be the strongest in recorded history, and it will peak later this year in December.

The heat is also putting strain on our AC units. Columbia recorded 350 cooling degree days through September 28th, about twice the normal 167.

Degree days measure how far temperatures are from 72 degrees, the typical ideal indoor temperature. In practical terms, they show how much energy your AC or heater needs to cool or heat your home. Many people keep their homes cooler than 72, so the real strain is even higher than these numbers suggest.

Over the last 50 years, cooling degree days have increased by 27% in Columbia, according to Climate Central. They project an additional 40% increase in cooling demand by 2050 from where we are now.

Shel Winkley of Climate Central says the impact goes beyond your equipment.

"That's not just the wear and tear on your AC that you have to keep up with. It's showing up on your energy bill. And it's not just AC use going up. Electricity prices themselves have jumped at least 31% over the past five years, making every degree of cooling more expensive."

Rising AC and electricity costs are top of mind as prices continue to climb with inflation. Many people are also worried about the added strain from AI data centers, which has led to protests and several local moratoriums on new data centers.

The uphill battle is expected to continue through the next several decades. Winkley says, "Looking ahead, cooling demand nationwide is projected to rise at least 43% by 2050 compared to what we need today."

Winkley says the burden isn't shared equally. "Hotter, longer summers and higher electricity prices are increasing the financial burden of cooling our homes, especially for low-income households trying to balance comfort and safety with affordability."

It's also a safety issue. "As cooling costs rise, it gets harder for those who don't have air conditioning or can't afford to run it to stay safe during longer, hotter, and more intense summers."