Heating Degree Day


Heating Degree Day

A day on which the temperature in a certain area is below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, necessitating the use of heaters. Heating degree days are used in some weather futures, which are contracts in which the buyer is required to pay the seller some multiple of $20 for each heating degree day in a month, depending on how much cooler it is. Weather futures allow businesses to hedge against potential losses resulting from unexpected changes in weather. Energy companies are the most common sellers of weather futures; they have become relatively popular investments. See also: Cooling degree day.