Cooling Degree Days

Cooling degree days (CDD) are a climate metric used to assess cooling energy demand in buildings and plan for HVAC efficiency and sustainability.

Cooling Degree Days

September 30, 2025


What are Cooling Degree Days?

Cooling degree days (CDD) are a climate metric used to estimate cooling demand in buildings. They are calculated by summing the difference between the daily average temperature and a base temperature (commonly 18°C or 65°F) for days above the threshold. Higher CDD values mean greater energy demand for air conditioning and cooling systems.

Why Cooling Degree Days Matter in Real Estate

Cooling degree days matter because they impact HVAC design, energy budgeting, and sustainability planning. Developers, engineers, and property managers use CDD data to estimate long-term operating costs, identify retrofit opportunities, and compare energy performance across properties or regions. Rising CDD values also highlight climate change implications for the built environment.

Example of Cooling Degree Days in Action

A property manager tracks CDD trends and finds that one multifamily building consistently consumes more cooling energy than expected. Benchmarking against CDD data reveals inefficiencies in insulation and HVAC systems, leading to a retrofit that reduces operating costs by 15%.

Key Takeaways

  • Cooling degree days measure climate-related cooling demand.
  • They are vital for HVAC design and retrofit planning.
  • Higher CDD values signal greater energy consumption.
  • Benchmarking against CDD improves efficiency strategies.
  • Climate change increases the importance of monitoring CDDs.

Related Terms

Additional Terms

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