Variations and trends of heating and cooling degree-days in Georgia for 1961–1990 year period

Indoor air heating and cooling is responsible for a large fraction of energy use in Georgia. Heating and cooling degree days are measures that reflect the amount of energy needed to heat or cool a building to a comfortable temperature, considering how cold or hot it is outside.

The purpose of the presented research is to estimate and study variations and trends of heating and cooling degree days for different locations in Georgia for the base period defined by the World Meteorological Organization (1961–1990). To achieve this goal, air temperature daily values were used for fourteen different locations within Georgia, covering 1961–1990 year period. The daily, monthly and annual numbers of cooling and heating degree days have been estimated for various locations and also their spatial distribution have been studied. Heating degree days were calculated at a base temperature of 18 °C and cooling degree days at a base temperature of 26 °C.

The obtained results are significant to study energy demand and resolve environmental issues associated with energy consumption in Georgia.