degreedaymenetelmä

The degreedaymenetelmä, or degree-day method, is a simplified calculation used to estimate energy consumption, particularly for heating and cooling, over a period of time. It is based on the concept that the amount of heating or cooling needed for a building is directly proportional to the difference between the average daily temperature and a base temperature. This base temperature is typically set at a point where artificial heating or cooling is no longer required, commonly around 18 degrees Celsius (65 degrees Fahrenheit) for heating.

To calculate degree-days, one subtracts the base temperature from the average daily temperature. If the average daily temperature is below the base temperature, the result is a positive heating degree-day. If it is above, the result is a negative cooling degree-day. These daily values are then accumulated over a specific period, such as a month or a year, to provide a total number of degree-days.

This total number of degree-days can then be used to estimate energy use by multiplying it by an energy consumption factor, which is determined by the building's insulation, size, and other thermal properties. The degreedaymenetelmä is a widely used tool in building energy analysis, weather forecasting, and agricultural applications, offering a straightforward approach to understanding and predicting energy demands influenced by ambient temperature. While a simplification, it provides a valuable first-order approximation for energy consumption patterns.