| Q:
What the heck is a heating degree day/cooling degree day? |
A:
(From
Weather Underground) Heating degree days are indicators of household
energy consumption for space heating. It was found that for an average
outdoor temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit, most buildings require
heat to maintain a 70 degree temperature inside. Similarly, for
an average outdoor temperature of 65 degrees or more, most buildings
require air-conditioning to maintain a 70 degree temperature inside.
How heating and cooling degree days are computed Take the high and low temperature for the day, and average them. If this number is greater than 65 F, then we have (Average temperature - 65) cooling degree days. If the average temperature is less than 65 degrees, then we have (65 - Average temperature) heating degree days. Running totals are kept for these units over a time period of a year so fuel distributors and power companies can assess average demands. |