What is the meaning of Degree-Day?

Degree-Day is a unit of measure for the deviation of a day's average temperature from the arbitrary standard of 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The U. S. Energy Information Administration publishes indexes of accumulated Degree Days. If the average temperature one day is 75 (55) degrees, then the index increases (decreases) ten Degree-Days on that day. Degree-days come in two varieties – Heating Degree-Days and Cooling Degree-Days. When the average temperature is above (below) 65 degrees, then the number of cooling (heating) Degree-Days increases.

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APABarry Goldsmith. (2010). degree-day. Retrieved October 2, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/degree-day/definitions/1151760
ChicagoBarry Goldsmith. 2010. "degree-day" http://smartdefine.org/degree-day/definitions/1151760 (accessed October 2, 2026).
HarvardBarry Goldsmith 2010, degree-day, Smart Define, viewed 2 October, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/degree-day/definitions/1151760>.
MLABarry Goldsmith. "degree-day" 21 October 2010. Web. 2 October 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/degree-day/definitions/1151760>