Jäähdytysaste

Jäähdytysaste, often translated as cooling degree or cooling degree days, is a meteorological and energy-related metric used to quantify the need for air conditioning in a particular location. It is analogous to heating degree days, which measure the demand for heating.

The calculation of jäähdytysaste typically involves a base temperature, usually around 18 degrees Celsius (64.4 degrees Fahrenheit). When the average daily temperature exceeds this base temperature, the difference is considered a cooling degree. For example, if the average daily temperature is 22 degrees Celsius, there are 4 cooling degrees for that day (22 - 18 = 4). These daily values are then summed over a period, such as a month or a year, to arrive at the total cooling degree value for that location.

Higher jäähdytysaste values indicate a greater need for cooling and thus a higher energy consumption for air conditioning. This metric is valuable for predicting energy demand for cooling, designing building insulation and HVAC systems, and analyzing climate change impacts on cooling requirements. It helps in understanding regional differences in cooling needs and planning for energy infrastructure.