As record-breaking heat, “arctic blasts,” severe storms, and wildfires make headlines, millions of Americans are adapting to extreme weather by taking steps to protect their homes from the elements. To help people prepare for whatever Mother Nature may bring, we’re releasing our first-ever Weather Report.
Examining Yelp data on consumer searches for flooding, fire protection, home insurance, air conditioning repairs, and more, these findings reveal gradual changes in searches for weather-related service professionals in recent years, and the ways users are responding to instances of extreme and unprecedented weather.
Analyzing consumer searches from May 2023 to April 2024 compared to May 2019 to April 2020, data shows increases for weather-related services, including:
- As people look to beat the heat, searches for air conditioning repair (up 80%) and pool installation (up 80%) surged.
- Following last year’s Canadian wildfires, which created poor air quality and smoke across the northeast, searches surged for fire protection in New York (up 139%), Boston (up 146%), Pittsburgh (up 72%), and Philadelphia (up 163%).
- In preparation for extreme temperatures and potentially dangerous weather, Yelp data saw increases in searches for home insurance (up 201%) and fire insurance (up 27%).
- Storm-related searches saw big increases during the time period, including storm prep (up 101%) and storm door installation (up 299%).
- Searches for flooding services rose drastically, with notable increases in Providence, RI (up 3,725%) New York (up 853%), Los Angeles (up 235%), Sarasota, FL (up 171%), and Miami (up 100%).
- Cold winter temperatures had an impact, as winterization searches increased 43%, as well as snow removal services, which rose 81%.
“Whether it’s sweltering heat or unexpected storms, recent weather conditions have shown the importance of keeping your home ready for anything,” said Tara Lewis, Yelp’s Trend Expert and Vice President of Community Expansion. “Our latest report highlights the ways people are responding to extreme weather, and how you can maintain peace of mind from season to season.”
From heat waves to arctic blasts: extreme temperatures drive searches year round
With 2023 being the hottest year on record, staying cool was top of mind, as air conditioning repairs saw an 80% increase in searches on Yelp from May 2023 to April 2024 compared to May 2019 to April 2020. High temperatures drove searches for air conditioning installations nationally, even in cities like Anchorage, Alaska, which saw a 633% increase in searches. Other notable markets include Cleveland (up 775%), Savannah, GA (up 300%), New Orleans (up 114%), and Cincinnati (up 100%).
Pool installation searches rose 80%, along with searches for solar panels (up 105%) as people looked to turn extra sunshine into savings. Finally, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning cleaning (HVAC) searches rose 47%.
Many cities also dealt with extreme cold, heavy snow storms, and more. Searches for snow removal services rose 81%, as well as winterization prep services, up 43%. After another unseasonably cold winter, Texas had two cities from the Lone Star state see notable increases in searches for winterization services (San Antonio, up 550%, and Dallas, up 229%).
Preparing for the unpredictable – flood and hurricane prep rise
Storms manifest differently regionally, as tornadoes, tropical storms, hurricanes, and heavy rainfall can wreak havoc for homeowners. Flood cleanup searches rose a whopping 505% nationally, as folks managed the impact of storms and heavy rains. Notable cities which saw surges in flooding searches include Providence, RI (up 3,725%), New York (up 853%), Los Angeles (up 235%), Sarasota, FL (up 171%), and Miami (up 100%).
Heading into another active hurricane season, Yelp data shows increases in searches for storm windows (up 50%), hurricane windows (up 89%), waterproofing services (52%), roof repairs (up 54%), and sump pumps (146%), which help remove excess water from homes.
Wildfire season drives searches across the country
Wildfires and smoke have become increasingly unpredictable, as air quality issues affected unexpected regions in 2023, including some of the country’s highest populated cities. Yelp data shows a rise in searches for fire protection services (133%) and fire insurance (up 27%).
If you want to prepare your home for extreme weather and don’t know where to start, try asking Yelp Assistant a question, such as “what can I do to prepare my home for severe storms?” Yelp Assistant is a conversational AI feature that will ask you a series of questions to understand your needs, then connect you with the right professionals for the job. You can find Yelp Assistant in the Projects tab on the Yelp app.
Top weatherproofing tips from Tara Lewis, Yelp’s trend expert, and vice president of community expansion
Looking for ways to ensure your home is prepared for whatever the weather may bring? Check out our top tips to weather-proof your home.
1. Insulate and Seal Your Home
- Beat the Heat and Combat the Cold: Keep your home cozy in winter and cool in the summer by adding insulation to your walls, attic, and floors. Seal up any cracks or gaps around windows and doors to keep the temperature just right.
- Stay Dry: Sealing your foundation is one of the best ways to prevent leaks from heavy rains, which can cause long term damage.
- Fire Safety: Use fire-resistant materials for your roof and siding, and seal any gaps to keep out embers during wildfire season. This also helps with reducing unwanted smells, like smoke.
2. Protect Your Windows
- Be storm ready! Install storm shutters to protect your windows from flying debris during tornadoes, hurricanes, or tropical storms. Consider impact-resistant glass for extra peace of mind. Finally, hire a professional to install window films or shades. These can be an effective and cost efficient way to beat the heat, and keep your A/C bills lower during warmer months.
3. Keep Your Roof and Gutters in Top Shape
- Regularly check and repair your roof to avoid leaks and damage. Hire a local roofing professional for regular maintenance on your gutters and downspouts to ensure water flows away from your home. Last but not least, keep these areas free of leaves and debris to reduce fire risk and water build up.
4. Be Ready with Backup Power and Supplies
- Invest in a generator or backup power source to keep your essentials running during power outages. It’s always good to have extra candles, flashlights, and blankets on hand during unexpected temperature swings.
In addition to using Yelp Assistant to find the right service professional for the job, our satisfaction-guarantee program, Yelp Guaranteed, can help provide you with greater confidence and peace of mind during the hiring process. The Yelp Guaranteed badge indicates your project will be backed by Yelp up to $2,500 in the event something goes wrong.
Methodology
Yelp identified trends by analyzing the change in consumer searches from May 2023 to April 2024, compared to May 2019 to April 2020. To compare the change in volume of a specific search query, we evaluated the number of times per million searches the query was entered.
