• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Zippy Facts Logo

Zippy Facts

Interesting Random Facts

  • Animals
  • Culture
  • Firsts
  • Food
  • Geography
  • Health
  • History
  • Inventions
  • Language
  • Mythology
  • Odds
  • People
  • Religion
  • Science
  • Space
  • Universe
  • World
You are here: Home / Science / What Are Degree Days, What Is the Measurement Used For, and How Are Degree Days Calculated?

What Are Degree Days, What Is the Measurement Used For, and How Are Degree Days Calculated?

March 2, 2020 by Karen Hill

Degree days are used as an approximate measure of energy demand to let utilities and householders keep track of what energy use for heating or cooling ought to be from day to day or year to year.

To calculate degree days for a given day, add the high and low temperatures, divide by two and compare that value with 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

If the value is 60, there were five heating degree days. If the value is 70, there were five cooling degree days.

The only time there are zero degree days is when the daily average temperature is 65 degrees, because the same theory that says you turn on the furnace when the temperature is below 65 degrees says you turn on the air conditioner when it is above 65 degrees.

Related Facts

  • What Is the Difference Between Heat and Temperature?
  • Why Are the Freezing and Boiling Temperatures of Water At 32 and 212 Degrees Fahrenheit?
  • What Does a Third Degree Burn Mean and What Is the Difference Between a First Degree Burn and a Second Degree Burn?
  • How do scientists know how cold absolute zero is and Why can’t it be reached?
  • Would Roasting Meat at a Lower Temperature for Longer Use More or Less Energy?
  • How Does Hot Water Freeze Faster Than Cold Water?

Filed Under: Science

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

Previous Post: « How Is the Heat Index Calculated and How Is the Humiture Index Used To Measure Heat and Humidity?
Next Post: Why Do Most People Aim a Rifle With One Eye Closed and Who Discovered the Phenomenon of Binocular Rivalry? »

Footer

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • GitHub
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Medium
  • Pinterest
  • StumbleUpon
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Categories

Accomplishments Animals Culture Firsts Food Geography Health History Inventions Language Mythology Odds People Religion Science Space Universe World Your Body

About

Zippy Facts empowers the world by serving educational content that is accessible to everyone.

A tribute to growing up, zippyfacts.com showcases interesting and unusual facts about the world.

Our mission is to use technology to facilitate knowledge transfer and sharing.

Copyright © 2020 Zippy Facts

  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy