Helpful Information :: Glossary

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

A colorless, odorless gas that affects the central nervous system and cause death through asphyxiation. It affects the young, elderly, and those persons who suffer from chronic illnesses more rapidly than larger mass, healthy people. Carbon monoxide can be produced by any combustible material (fossil fuels, wood and charcoal); improperly vented or poorly adjusted appliances. Clark Gas & Oil recommends having your heating and hearth appliances checked out by qualified gas and oil heat professionals annually to ensure your safety and maximum efficiency of these appliances. We also recommend you have a CO detector in your home or business. Please contact us with any questions you may have on the matter.

Degree Days

To calculate the heating degree days for a particular day, find the day's average temperature by adding the day's high and low temperature and dividing by two. If the number is above 65, there are no heating degree days that day. If the number is less than 65, subtract it from 65 to find the number of heating degree days.

For example, if the day's high temperature is 60 and the low is 40, the average temperature is 50 degrees. 65 minus 50 is 15 heating degree days.

After finding the number of heating degree days for the current day, add that figure to the accumulative degree day found on the NOAA website.