We all know that weather can have a major effect on energy bills. When the outdoor temperatures become extreme, your heating and cooling equipment must work harder to keep your home comfortable. 

Energy experts use degree days to anticipate heating and cooling needs for consumers like you. 

Never heard of a degree day? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Let’s take a look at what degree days are and why they’re important for electric utilities like Victory Electric. 

Degree days measure how cold or warm a location is by comparing the average of the high and low (mean) of the outdoor temperatures recorded in that location to the standard U.S. temperature, which is 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The assumption is that we don’t need heating or cooling to be comfortable when this is the outdoor temperature. 

The more extreme the outdoor temperatures, the higher the number of degree days. And the higher the number of degree days, the higher the amount of energy used for heating and cooling. Summer is in full swing, so let’s look at cooling degree days.  

Cooling degree days are a measurement of how hot the temperature was on a given day or during a period of days. When summer temperatures rise, you’ll likely require more cooling for your home or business, which results in more cooling degree days. Variations in electric bills often follow closely with degree days, which is why electric utilities use this data to anticipate future energy demand. 

Why is all of this information important? Essentially, the hotter the outside air temperature is, the more energy it takes to cool your home. The number of cooling degree days in a billing period will give an indication of energy consumption required for your HVAC system. This is especially helpful when comparing your electric bills from one month to another. You can also compare your daily usage to the outside temperature by using our online account portal, SmartHub.This will help keep you informed about your electricity use so you won’t have any bill surprises.

Degree days are tracked for a variety of reasons. Farmers can better plan the planting of crops and timing for pest control, and weather experts can better assess climate patterns. 

To view degree days for our area, visit the Energy Star Degree Days Calculator.

If charts and data aren’t your forte, no problem. Here are a few tips to help you save on energy bills this summer:

• Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your cooling costs will be. The Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78 degrees F when you’re home and a higher setting when you’re away.
• Turn off ceiling fans when you leave a room.
• Close window coverings, like curtains and blinds, during the day to block sunlight.
• Use caulk and weather stripping to seal air leaks around doors and windows.

If you have questions about your energy use or to learn more ways to save, visit our Energy Advisor page, give us a call or stop by our office. Victory Electric is here to help.