A new study from researchers at Arizona State University has revealed that large data centers in the Phoenix metropolitan area may be significantly increasing temperatures in nearby neighborhoods. According to the research, waste heat released from these facilities can raise surrounding air temperatures by as much as 4 degrees Fahrenheit, intensifying the already extreme heat conditions in the desert city.
Data Centers Becoming Local Heat Sources
Modern data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity to power thousands of servers, and much of that energy eventually turns into heat. Most facilities rely on massive air-cooling systems that expel hot air outdoors. Researchers found that the discharged air can be between 14 and 25 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than the surrounding environment, creating what scientists describe as “thermal plumes” that spread into nearby communities.
To study the impact, scientists drove sensor-equipped vehicles around four large data centers in the Phoenix area between June and October 2025. They compared temperatures upwind and downwind of the facilities in real time. The results showed that neighborhoods located downwind were typically 1.3 to 1.6 degrees Fahrenheit warmer, while some areas experienced spikes of up to 4 degrees. Researchers also detected the warming effect up to one-third of a mile away from the data centers.
Rising Concerns for Cities
Phoenix already struggles with severe urban heat, and experts warn that additional warming from rapidly expanding data infrastructure could worsen health risks and increase electricity demand. Even a small temperature rise can push residents to use more air conditioning, which then releases even more heat outdoors. Researchers say this creates a feedback loop that further intensifies urban temperatures.
The study’s authors are now calling for city planners and data center developers to consider heat pollution during future construction projects. Proposed solutions include adding greenbelts, redesigning cooling systems, and creating larger buffer zones between residential neighborhoods and industrial facilities. Scientists emphasize that data centers remain essential for modern digital services, but they believe better planning is needed to reduce their environmental footprint as the industry continues to grow.
