829 heating degree days so far..
And we’re below normal! Any wonder I’m hyper concerned about insulation?
So how many heating degree days have you had (and what’s a heating degree day anyway?)
And we’re below normal! Any wonder I’m hyper concerned about insulation?
So how many heating degree days have you had (and what’s a heating degree day anyway?)
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Replies
There is one heating degree day for each degree F that the average 24 hr temperature (high+low, divided by 2) is below 65 F. People, sunlight through windows, and appliance use provide enough heat so the heating system shouldn't have to come on until the outside air temperature gets below 65 F. However, that temperature was based on old houses, which were leaky and poorly insulated by present standards. Utilities use cumulative heating degree days to predict fuel deliveries. One can use a heating load calc for a new house to predict annual fuel use for a particular location, based on the average annual heating degree days. However, some have said that this is very tricky for a tight, very well insulated house, for which the heating system may not come on until outside air temperature is well below 65 F.
Edited 11/12/2007 10:05 am ET by DickRussell