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Glasgow Annual Temperature Graph
How is your energy bill affected by seasonal temperatures?Chart indicates the temperatures corresponding to relative energy usage percentiles of 80% and 120% (dashed lines). The chart also shows the 1961-1990 daily maximum and minimum mean temperatures (solid lines). The base temperature of 15.5 degC is used to predict the Heating Degree Days (HDD), where HDD = 15.5 - (Tmax + Tmin)/2.0
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Q. "What is an HDD" and "Why are HDD's useful"?
Heating degree days (HDD) are quantitative indices designed to reflect the demand for energy needed to heat a home or business. For historical reasons HDD are often made available with base temperatures of 18C (65F), or 15.5C (60F). The calculations above use a base temperature of 15.5C.
The "Climate Calculator 2003" now reports the thresholds where the required indoor heating (HDD) is 20% above and 20% below the long-term climate average. The data is reported for major towns and cities across the United Kingdom.
HDD temperature data
Predict gas or oil energy usage for other towns and cities in the United Kingdom
Worked example... The average day and night temperature for Aberdeen on 1st January is +1.6C.
20% more house-hold heating would be required to heat a household to room temperature during a cold-snap, when the average daily outdoor temperature is -1.2C. The fraction of additional energy consumed in heating the home during this period would be 20% higher than a period when outdoor temperatures are close to the 1961-1990 average. During a warmer interlude, with a daily mean outdoor temperature of +4.4C, 20% less household heating would be require to reach a standard room temperature (HDD down -20%).
50% more heating is required when the daily maximum and minimum temperatures follow the 80% percentiles (HDD -20%), than when outdoor temperatures follow the upper 120% margin (HDD +20%). The outdoor temperatures that correspond to these critical bounds are indicated by dashed curves on the above figure. It is the average day and night temperatures, or more appropriately the daily average temperatures, that determine how much fuel is required to heat a household. Although different households require a different amount of energy to warm them to room temperature, the percentage or perturbation to your normal heating bill can be estimated by using HDD forecasts for your region. The HDD forecast used in combination with a HDD climatology for your location, can inform you how this winters fuel bill compares to other years. Weather Logistics UK provides these forecasts in addition to other forecast parameters in a winter weather forecasting package. This exclusive winter weather forecast is available to purchase by following the coloured advert above.
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