Warmer temperatures in Vancouver in 2023

Data collected by PUMA and Environment Canada indicates that Vancouver experienced a sharp variation in Heating Degree Days (HDD) in 2023 compared to the previous year.

HDDs are a key figure for predicting building energy use and are directly calculated from the weather and an industry-standard balance point of 15 degrees Celsius. The balance point is the temperature below which a building requires heating.   

The average temperatures in Vancouver in January, April, May, November, and December were significantly higher than those recorded in the previous year. The data also indicates that the city had 6% fewer HDDs than the 30-year average (see chart).

With such variations in temperature from year to year, it becomes crucial to make weather-adjusted energy use calculations to understand energy use in buildings.

“Weather is a major factor in energy use,” says Duncan Wilcock, Client Services Lead at PUMA.

“The changing climate over the past 30 years has significantly affected how buildings use energy. We can help our clients understand why considering weather patterns is essential for understanding their building’s utility use,” he adds.