Question

In order to evaluate energy demand for heating services, the number of heating degree days are calculated. The number of heating degree days can be calculated by the formula H = 65 - T, where 65 is degrees Fahrenheit, and T is the average of the high and low temperatures for the day. If the high temperature for a day was 52°F and the low temperature for the same day was 45°F, what is the number of heating degree days?

Answer 1

The number of heating degree days is 16.5.

Explanation:

First, we calculate the average of the high (
`T_(H)`) and low temperatures of the day (
`T_(L)`), measured in degrees Fahrenheit. If we know that
`T_(H) = 52\,^(\circ)F` and
`T_(L) = 45\,^(\circ)F`, then the average temperature (
`T`), measured in degrees Fahrenheit, is:

`T = (T_(L)+T_(H))/(2)` (1)

`T = (45\,^(\circ)F+52\,^(\circ)F)/(2)`

`T = 48.5\,^(\circ)F`

And the number of heating days is:

`H = 65-48.5`

`H = 16.5`

The number of heating degree days is 16.5.