Effective building-energy policy can be developed only when the appropriate analysis is implemented in advance. The heating degree-day (HDD) method is a powerful tool for anticipating a national climate or annual heating demand for a heating period. The accuracy of the HDD method depends on the accuracy of balance-point temperatures, which represent regional building thermal performance and climate conditions. However, accurate local balance-point temperatures have not been determined for most countries.

This paper examines a method of calculating balance-point temperatures based on local building thermal performance and climate. Detailed calculation procedures for heat gains and losses in buildings are described and corresponding issues are discussed. Regional building thermal performance and climate are the main factors involved in the process, which requires appropriate regional balance-point temperatures. To reflect changes in climate, and subsequent policy changes, many countries will require more consideration of regional balance-point temperatures.

Balance-point temperatures were revised in Korea as a case study. The colder and the more intense the building insulation standards, the lower the balance-point temperature turned out to be, compared with what the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers recommends. There was a 2 °C difference in balance-point temperature between the coldest and warmest regions in Korea. Insulation standards that demonstrated the greatest impact on balance-point temperature and severity of climate were also not negligible.

只有事先进行适当的分析，才能制定有效的建筑节能政策。日热度（HDD）方法是预测全国气候或供暖期年供热需求的有力工具。HDD方法的准确性取决于平衡点温度的准确性，平衡点温度代表区域建筑物的热性能和气候条件。但是，尚未为大多数国家/地区确定准确的本地平衡点温度。

本文研究了一种基于本地建筑物的热性能和气候计算平衡点温度的方法。描述了建筑物热量获取和损失的详细计算程序，并讨论了相应的问题。区域建筑的热性能和气候是该过程涉及的主要因素，需要适当的区域平衡点温度。为了反映气候变化以及随后的政策变化，许多国家将需要更多考虑区域平衡点温度。

案例研究对韩国的平衡点温度进行了修改。与美国采暖，制冷和空调工程师协会建议的温度相比，建筑物的隔热标准越冷越强，平衡点温度就越低。韩国最冷和最热地区之间的平衡点温度相差2°C。对平衡点温度和气候严重性影响最大的隔热标准也不容忽视。