Act 2 2 3 Heat Loss Gain

Activity 2.2.
3 Heat Loss and Gain

Introduction
When the winter design temperature is below 60F, the International Residential Code requires a
dwelling to have heating facilities capable of maintaining a minimum room temperature of 68F in
habitable rooms. Portable space heaters cannot be used to meet this requirement. A permanent
heating system must be installed.
In buildings we refer to heat flow in a number of different ways. The most common reference is the
R-value, or the resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value of a material, the more it will restrict
heat loss or gain. U-factor (sometimes referred to as U-value) is a measure of the flow of heat
(thermal transmittance) through a material, given a difference in temperature on either side. In the
inch-pound (I-P) system, the U-factor is the number of Btus (British Thermal Units) of energy
passing through a square foot of the material in an hour for every degree Fahrenheit difference in
temperature across the material (Btu/ft 2hrF or BtuH). In metric, the U-factor is usually given in
watts per square meter per degree Celsius (w/m 2C).
Calculations of heat loss are made to determine whether a proposed heating (or cooling system)
is adequate to supply and maintain the desired temperature within a structure as specified by
code. These calculations are also used to estimate the annual heating or cooling costs of a
system.
Use the 99 percent values from Appendix D of the International Plumbing Code or from the
NOAA Engineering Design Data publication
(http://160.36.48.42/escurriculum/weather_data/weather_data_summ.html).
Alternatively, you may use a design temperature that reflects local climate or local weather
experience as determined by the building official.
The International Residential Code requirements/rule of thumb for a new house with good
insulation is 1.25 watts per cu. ft. or 4.25 Btu per cu. ft.
Important conversion information:
Watts x 3.21 = Btu/hr
Btu/hr x .2931 = Watts
Equipment
A2_Example Utility Shed Drawing

Transmission Loads Worksheet.xls
R-Value Chart File
Example Engineering Weather Data Sheet Belleville IL (NOAA), or local data
Procedure
Heat Loss from the Utility Shed
In this activity you will calculate the total heat transmission load measured in Btu/H for the
Example Utility Shed shown in Drawing A1 using the Transmission Loads Worksheet.xls.
Assume the following:
For this exercise the floor will be ignored
One double door, 72in. x 7ft
Two single-glazed windows, 2ft x 4ft
Desired inside temperature of 70F
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CEA Unit 2 Lesson 2.2 Activity 2.2.3 Heat Loss and Gain Page 1
Outside winter design temperature taken as the 99% value (refer to the Example
Engineering Weather Data Sheet, International Plumbing Code, or local data)
Calculating Assembly R-Values

R-values, which are standard in the construction industry, identify the thermal resistance of a
material. The higher an R-value, the better the insulation against heat transfer. A higher R-value
means that less heat energy passes through the material. Use the R-Value and Densities Charts
handout to determine R-values for individual components.
The R-value for assemblies of components, such as a wall or roof system, can be determined by
adding the R-values of all of the components of the assembly. The R-value for the Example Utility
Shed wall would be calculated as follows:
1.05
0.70
0.00
11.0
0.70
0.68
14.13
Wood Bevel Siding (3/4in. x 10in.)

Wood Sheathing (OSB - Low Density = 1.41 x .5 inches of thickness)
Vapor Barrier
R-11 Batt Insulation
Wood Sheathing (OSB - Low Density = 1.41 x .5 inches of thickness)
Inside Air Film
R-Value for Example Utility Shed Wall
You may round the transmission load to the nearest whole number.
Surface
R-Value
U-Factor
Area
1/R
Square Feet
T
Degrees
F
Q UA( T )
West Wall
14.13
0.0700
128
61
Btu/Hour
547
East Wall
14.13
0.0700
128
61
547
North Wall
14.13
0.0700
96
61
410
South Wall
14.13
0.0700
96
61
410
Ceiling/Roof
21.05
0.0475
307.81 (my roof)
61
892
Door
1.67
0.0599
42
61
153
Window
.88
1.1360
61
554
TOTAL TRANSMISSION LOAD
3513

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After finding the total Btu/H for each surface (walls, window, door, roof/ceiling), total all
transmission loads for the structure.
1. Size Unit
a. If heat loss through the building components is the only consideration, what size heating
unit should you specify for the Example Utility Shed? Note that heating units are often
specified to the nearest 1,000 Btu/H.
You would most likely try to round up to a 4000 Btu/H heating unit.
b. Assume that you had just performed the previous calculation such that you had found the
heat gain in the summer (rather than the heat loss in the winter). What size air conditioning
unit would you need if there are two people working in the shed (adding 450 But/H) and
equipment that contributes 2000 Btu/H heat gain? Note that air conditioners are often sized
by the ton. Remember that 1 ton of unit capacity = 12,000 Btu/H. Round up to the next half
ton.
The gained Btu/H will be around 6000, so one Half-ton air conditioner would probably do the trick.
2. Energy Efficiency/Savings
a. What modifications could be made to this structure to make it more energy efficient?
Implement at least one change to the design and then show the change it makes to the
total heat transmission load using the Excel Transmission Loads Worksheet.xls.
b. Some changes you may want to consider include double-glazed windows, insulated doors,
and/or a more effective insulation. Energy efficient design components should be noted in
blank rows of the Transmission Loads Worksheet such that the transmission load for each
surface in the redesigned envelop is shown in the right column on the transmission load
worksheet. What is the difference in Btu/H?
Btu/H Savings: _______________
Conclusion
1. Where does the greatest heat loss occur in this structure?
Windows by far, they have a very small R value.
2. What was the most significant change made to make this structure more energy efficient?
Double glazed windows, have a much higher R value, equivalent to a regular door.
Copyright 2010
3. What effect could using 2x6 studs in the shed construction have on energy heat loss/gain?
There would be slightly more heat loos if the same amount if insulation was used, but sloightly
less if more insulation was bought to fill the gaps in the thicker walls.

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What is the total heat transmission load calculated for the example utility shed?

Where does the greatest heat loss occur in this structure?

Activity 2.2.

3 Heat Loss and Gain

A2_Example Utility Shed Drawing

Calculating Assembly R-Values

Wood Bevel Siding (3/4in. x 10in.)

307.81 (my roof)

TOTAL TRANSMISSION LOAD

Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Project Lead The Way, Inc.

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