1. What is Conduction Heat Loss?

Conduction heat loss refers to the transfer of heat through a material or between materials in direct contact. The rate of heat loss is governed by Fourier's law and calculated using the fundamental equation Q = U × A × ΔT.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the conduction heat loss equation:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Heat loss rate (Watts)
• \( U \) — Overall heat transfer coefficient (W/m²K)
• \( A \) — Surface area (m²)
• \( \Delta T \) — Temperature difference across the surface (Kelvin)

Explanation: The program iterates over multiple surfaces, calculating individual heat losses and summing them for total heat loss.

3. Importance of Heat Loss Calculation

Details: Accurate heat loss calculation is essential for building energy efficiency analysis, HVAC system design, insulation specification, and energy conservation planning.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of surfaces first, then provide U-value, area, and temperature difference for each surface. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the U-value?
A: The U-value (overall heat transfer coefficient) represents how well a building element conducts heat. Lower U-values indicate better insulation.

Q2: How do I determine ΔT?
A: ΔT is the temperature difference between the indoor and outdoor environments, or across the specific surface being analyzed.

Q3: What are typical U-values for building materials?
A: Single glazing: ~5.7 W/m²K, Double glazing: ~2.8 W/m²K, Brick wall: ~1.5 W/m²K, Well-insulated wall: ~0.3 W/m²K.

Q4: Can this calculator handle multiple surfaces?
A: Yes, the program is designed to iterate over multiple surfaces and calculate total heat loss by summing individual surface losses.

Q5: What units should I use?
A: Use SI units: U in W/m²K, Area in m², ΔT in Kelvin (same as Celsius for temperature differences), Q in Watts.