1. What Are Degree Days?

Degree days are a measure of how much and for how long the outside air temperature is above or below a certain level. They are commonly used in energy consumption calculations, particularly for heating and cooling systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the degree days formula:

Where:

• \( T_{\text{base}} \) — Base temperature (°F)
• \( T_{\text{avg}} \) — Average daily temperature (°F)
• \( \sum \) — Summation over the period

Explanation: For heating degree days, the calculation sums the difference between base temperature and average temperature when the average is below the base temperature.

3. Importance of Degree Days Calculation

Details: Degree days are crucial for estimating energy consumption for heating and cooling, planning energy budgets, and assessing building energy efficiency.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter base temperature in °F, average temperature in °F, and number of days. The calculator will compute the heating degree days for the specified period.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the typical base temperature for heating degree days?
A: The most common base temperature is 65°F, but this can vary depending on building characteristics and local climate.

Q2: How are cooling degree days calculated?
A: Cooling degree days use the formula: CDD = Σ(T_avg - T_base) when T_avg > T_base.

Q3: Why are degree days important for energy management?
A: They help normalize energy consumption data for weather variations, allowing for accurate comparisons and energy efficiency assessments.

Q4: Can degree days be calculated for different time periods?
A: Yes, degree days can be calculated daily, monthly, seasonally, or annually depending on the analysis needs.

Q5: Are there different methods for calculating degree days?
A: Yes, methods include simple averaging, integration methods, and various statistical approaches depending on data availability and accuracy requirements.