Climate Change Effects on Heating and Cooling Demands of Buildings in Canada

Climate change is causing more frequent extreme weather events. The consequences of increasing global temperature on the operating cost of existing buildings, and the associated health, safety, and economic risks were investigated. Eight cities in Ontario, Canada, across climate zones 5 to 8, were selected for this study. Statistical models were employed to forecast daily temperatures for 50 years. The impact of climate change on buildings' heating and cooling demands for energy was measured as changes in heating degree days (HDD) and cooling degree days (CDD) compared to current design requirements. The results predict an increase in the demand for cooling and a decrease in that for heating within the next 50 years. A drop in the total HDD and CDD is shown which reflects a more comfortable outdoor thermal condition. Risk to human health attributable to the increase in global temperature is negligible.