Manual J design temperatures for Detroit, MI
Winter 10.4 °F, summer 87.8 °F / 71.4 °F wet bulb, daily range M: the outdoor design conditions for a residential load calculation in Detroit, with a free lookup for any address.
Detroit, MI: Manual J outdoor design conditions
| Winter design dry bulb (99 %) | 10.4 °F |
| Summer design dry bulb (1 %) | 87.8 °F |
| Coincident wet bulb (1 %) | 71.4 °F |
| Daily range class | M |
| Grains difference (75 °F, 50 % RH indoor) | +26 gr/lb |
| Elevation | 626 ft |
ASHRAE Handbook method (2025 edition) at Detroit-Young Intl Ap (WMO 725375), the nearest station with a recent record to the city centre. A different address in the area can use a different station: look it up below.
What these numbers mean for a house in Detroit
Heating equipment and heat pumps in Detroit are sized for an outdoor temperature of 10.4 °F: colder than that for only about 88 hours in a typical year. Cooling is sized for 87.8 °F with a coincident wet bulb of 71.4 °F. The daily range is medium (15 to 25 °F), which sets the Manual J cooling-load factors, and a grains difference of +26 gr/lb drives the latent (moisture) load. With indoor design temperatures of 70 °F heating and 75 °F cooling, the design temperature differences are 59.6 °F and 12.8 °F.
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For a whole-building energy model, the same site gets hourly EnergyPlus weather files (EPW) with design days: typical year, actual years and future climate.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Manual J winter design temperature for Detroit, MI?
10.4 °F: the 99 % heating dry bulb by the ASHRAE method at Detroit-Young Intl Ap.
What is the Manual J summer design temperature for Detroit, MI?
87.8 °F dry bulb (1 %) with a coincident wet bulb of 71.4 °F.
Which daily range class does Detroit use?
Class M: medium (15 to 25 °F).
Can I get the values for my exact address?
Yes: type the address in the lookup on this page. A one-page PDF for the permit or rebate file costs 1 credit.
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