Heat transfer equations in SI units

Transmission - general
Ht

m2

W
m2 K

ti

to C

ti

Ht = transmission heat loss

A = area of exposed surface
U = heat transmission coefficient
ti = inside air temperature
to= outside air temperature

Alternatively
Ht

to

1
R1 + R2 + R3 + ...

t
K

R is unit thermal resistance and is given in

t = thickness and is given in

1
C

W
mK

C = thermal conductance and is given in

for a particular thickness of material

W
m2 K

W
m

Hfloor = transmission heat loss

L = length of exposed surface boundary
U = linear heat transmission coefficient (from a table incorporating temperatures as a lookup)

Transmission - roofs

K = thermal conductivity and is given in

Transmission - floors
Hfloor W

m2 K

Applies same heat transmission equations, but with temperature difference adjusted for radiant effects of sun
Out of scope of class

Solar gain through glass

Hs

m2

SF

W
m2

SC

Hs = solar heat gain through glass

A = area of glass
SF = solar factor
SC = shading coefficient

Ventilation and infiltration - sensible heat only

Hvi

J
s

cp

J
kg K

kg
m3

1
3600

hr
s

qv m3
hr

to

Hvi = ventilation or infiltration heat transfer (sensible heat only)

cp = specific heat capacity of air

1005

J
kg K

= the density of air

1.20

kg
m3

1/3600 = a value to convert from airflow per hour into joules per second, to obtain the result in watts
qv = air volume flow
ti = inside air temperature
to = outside air temperature

Ventilation and infiltration - sensible and latent heat

Hvi

J
s

kg
m3

1
3600

hr
s

qv m3
hr

Hvi = ventilation or infiltration heat transfer (sensible and latent heat)

= the density of air

1.20

kg
m3

ho

J
kg

hi

J
kg

ti

1/3600 = a value to convert from airflow per hour into joules per second, to obtain the result in watts
qv = air volume flow
hi = inside air enthalpy
ho = outside air enthalpy

Using air changes

For airflow questions using air changes, calculate the volume of the building from its dimensions.
Then work out the airflow per hour, e.g.
Airflow

m3
hr

m3

volume

air changes
per hour

Including heat recovery

Hvi

W =

Hvi

1 -

Hvi = heat gain from ventilation and infiltration

= efficiency of heat recovery %

Heat from persons

Hp

W =

persons

gain

W
person

Hp = heat gain from people

n = number of persons
gain = sensible or latent heat gained per person, dependent on activity

Heat from equipment

He = heat gain from equipment, normally given in W or kW
Calculated for lights, appliances, etc in various ways not covered in the class

ffects of sun