NEBB Fundamental Formulas

A = Area (ft²) IP, (m²) SI M = Mass (lb) IP, (kg) SI

ACH = Air Changes per Hour ma = Mixed Air
Ak = Effective Area m = meter (metre)
AV = Average m³/s = Volumetric Flow: Cubic Meters Per Second
BHP = Brake Horsepower (IP) HP NLA = No Load Amperage
BP = Brake Power (SI) kW NPSHA = Net Positive Suction Head Available
Btu = British Thermal Unit oa = Outside Air
Btu/h = Btuh = BTUH = BTU/Hour % oa = % of Outside Air
℄ = Center Distance (used in belt formula) Ω = Ohm
°C = Degrees Celsius, °C P = Pressure
C = Friction Loss Coefficient (For Duct Fittings) Pa = Atmospheric Pressure
CCF = 100 Cubic Feet Pab = Absolute Pressure (Atmospheric Pressure + Gauge Pressure)
CFM = Volumetric Flow: Cubic Feet Per Minute Pa = Pascals, Pressure SI
Cp = Specific Heat π = 3.14
Cv = Flow Constant (IP) PD = Sheave Pitch Diameter
ρ = Density (lb/ft³) IP, (kg/m³) SI P℄ = Pressure at Pump Centerline
d = Diameter (in.) IP, (mm) SI ppm = parts per million
Δ = Difference or Change (Final - Initial) psi = Pounds Per Square Inch
dimp = Impeller Diameter psia = Pounds Per Square Inch Absolute
E = Volts psig = Pounds Per Square Inch Gauge
Eff = Efficiency Pvp = Absolute Vapor Pressure
EP = Pump Efficiency Q (flow) = Volumetric Fluid Flow Rate: (i.e. CFM, GPM, m³/s, l/s, etc.)
°F = Degrees Fahrenheit, °F Q (heat) = Heat Flow Rate (BTU/Hour) IP, (W or kW) SI
f = Friction Factor °R = °Rankin = Degrees Rankin, °R
FLA = Full Load Amps r = Radius (in) IP, (mm) SI
fpm = Feet per Minute (fpm) % ra = % of Return Air
ft = Foot R = Resistance
g = Acceleration of Gravity ra = Return Air
gal = Gallons rad = Radians
GPM = Gallons Per Minute (GPM) RH = Relative Humidity
h = Enthalpy (BTU/lb dry air) IP, (kJ/kg dry air) SI RPM = Revolutions Per Minute
H = Head (in wc, ft wc, psi) IP, (Pa, kPa) SI Rvalue = Thermal Resistance
Hg = Mercury s = second
hma = Mixed Air Enthalpy SHR = Sensible Heat Ratio
hoa = Outside Air Enthalpy SME = Sash Movement Effect Performance Rating (SME-XX yyy)
HP = Horsepower SP = Static Pressure
hr = Hour Sp Gr = Specific Gravity (for water use 1.00)
hra = Return Air Enthalpy T = Temperature
HT = Height (in) IP, (mm) SI Ta = Absolute Temperature (460˚ + T) or °R
I = Amps Tma = Mixed Air Temperature
J = Joules Toa = Outside Air Temperature
K = Kelvin, K TP = Total Pressure
Kv = Flow constant (SI) Tra = Return Air Temperature
kg = Kilogram TS = Tip Speed (fpm) IP, (m/s) SI
kJ = Kilojoule U = Heat Transfer Coefficient
kPa = Kilopascal µ = viscosity, dynamic
kW = Kilowatt = 1000 Watts V = Velocity
l = Liter (Litre) VP = Velocity Pressure
l/s = Volumetric Flow: Liters Per Second W = Watt
lb = Pounds WD = Width (in) IP, (mm) SI
lm = Lumens wg = wc = water gauge = water column
ln = natural log WHP = Water Horsepower (IP)
LG = Length (in) IP, (mm) SI WP = Water Power (SI)
lx = Lux ω = Humidity Ratio (lb or grains of water/lb of dry air) (g H2O/kg dry air)

Approved NEBB - January 11, 2018 Page 1 of 8 Version 1.31

 NEBB Fundamental Formulas

Airflow & Velocity Equations 

Q V A Q V x A

TP VP SP TP VP SP

V 4005 √VP V 1.66 VP

VP VP
V 1096   V 1.414  

Q 60 Q 3600
ACH   ACH  
LG x WD x HT LG x WD x HT

d d
π π r π π r
2 Area 2
Area
144 144 1,000,000 1,000,000
HT WD HT WD
Area / Area /
144 1,000,000

HT HT
HT x WD - HT π HT (WD - HT π
2 2
Area Area
144 1,000,000

Air Temperature Equations 
1.8 32°  32 1.8 

°R 460   K 273  

T % T % T   h % h % h  

T T h h
% 100 % 100
T T h h
Heat Transfer Calculations 
Q 4.5 CFM ∆h  Q 1.2 l ∆h
s

Q 60 Cp ρ CFM ∆T   Q Cp ρ l ∆T
s

Q 1.08 CFM ∆T   Q 1.23 l ∆T

s
Q 0.69 CFM ∆

Q 3.0 l ∆
s
Q 4840 CFM ∆

SHR Q Q   Q Q Q  

Q A U ∆   Q A U ∆  

Fan Equations

CFM RPM l m rad

s s s
CFM RPM l m rad
s s s

P CFM P l m
s s
P CFM P l m
s s

BHP CFM kW l m
s s
BHP CFM kW l m
s s
π d rpm π d rpm
Tip Speed TS Tip Speed TS
12 60

Approved NEBB - January 11, 2018 Page 2 of 8 Version 1.31

 NEBB Fundamental Formulas

Sheave Equations 
PD RPM PD
RPM RPM  
PD RPM PD

PD PD
Fan Belt Length 2 1.57 PD PD  
4

Electrical Equations 
Power E I  1 kW 1000 Watts 

I E Ω  Ω E I 

1 HP 746 Watts  1 Watt 3.413 Btu/hr 

Power Equations 

E I PF Eff E I PF
BHP kW
746 1000
PF Power Factor PF Power Factor

E I PF Eff 1.732 E I PF 1.732

BHP kW
746 1000
PF Power Factor 0.8 & Eff 0.9; if not given

I NLA 0.5
BHP HP
FLA NLA 0.5

FLA E
FLA
E
CFM TP SpGr
Fan HP
6356 Eff

Resistance 
Series Circuit: total resistance: Ω R   Parallel Circuit: total resistance: Ω R  

1 1 1 1
R R R R ⋯ R   ⋯
R R R R

E I E I   Voltage Drop I R  

Conversions

kilowatts Kw Btu / hr 3413

horsepower HP Btu / hr 2545
joules Btu / hr 0.000948
kilogram calories Btu / hr 3.968
tons of cooling chiller Btu / hr 12000
tons of cooling cooling tower Btu / hr 15000
gallons U.S. water pounds U.S. lb. 8.33
millimeters inches U.S. 25.4
centimeters inches U.S. 2.54
bar pounds per square inch PSI 14.5
inches of water pounds per square inch PSI 0.036
inches of Mercury Hg pounds per square inch PSI 0.491

Approved NEBB - January 11, 2018 Page 3 of 8 Version 1.31

 NEBB Fundamental Formulas

Hydronic 
Pump Equations

GPM RPM l m rad

s s s
GPM RPM l m rad
s s s

GPM d m d
s
GPM d m d
s
m rad
H GPM H h s
H GPM H m rad
h s

BHP GPM BP m rad

s s
BHP GPM BP m rad
s s
GPM H SpGr WP 9.81 m H SpGr
WHP s
3960
l H SpGr
s
SpGr 1.0, unless given, EP use 0.7 if not given WP
1002
GPM H SpGr
BHP WP
3960 EP BP
EP
SpGr 1.0, unless given, EP use 0.7 if not given 

WHP 100 WP 100

EP % EP %
BHP BP

Hydronic Calculations 
P P
Coil ∆P: GPM GPM   Coil ∆P: m h m
h  
P P

GPM SpGr m SpGr

C K h
∆P ∆P

C ∆P C ∆P
GPM m
SpGr h SpGr
SpGr 1.0, unless given, EP use 0.7 if not given  SpGr 1.0, unless given, EP use 0.7 if not given 

GPM m
∆P SpGr h
C ∆P SpGr
K
SpGr 1.0, unless given, EP use 0.7 if not given  SpGr 1.0, unless given, EP use 0.7 if not given 

V
NPSHA P P P P 
2g

Heat Transfer Calculations 

ρ ∆ ρ ∆

4190 ∆
500 ∆
4190 ∆

Boiler Calculations 
Input Btu
Output Btu Input Btu %Eff  Fire Rate
Fuel Btu

Boiler Operating Cost Fire Rate hrs Burned $Cost

gal Btu lb of water 500 ∆T  

Approved NEBB - January 11, 2018 Page 4 of 8 Version 1.31

 NEBB Fundamental Formulas

Metric Equivalents 

acceleration m/s2 meters per second squared 1m/s2 3.281 ft/sec2

m3/s cubic meters per second 1 m3/s 2118.88 cfm
airflow volumetric
l/s liters per second 1 l/s 2.12 cfm
flow rate
m3/hr cubic meters per hour 1 m3/hr 0.589 cfm
m2 square meter 1 m2 10.764 ft2
area
mm2 square millimeters 1 mm2 0.0016 in2
atmospheric kPa kiloPascals 101.325 kPa 29.92 in Hg 14.696 psi
pressure Bar Barometers 1 Bar 100kPa 29.53 in Hg 14.504 psi
m meter 1 m 3.281 ft
distance. length, or
m meter 1 m 39.370 in
distance
mm millimeter 1 mm 0.039 in
lx Lux 1 lx 0.093 fc
lighting intensity
lm/m2 Lumens/square meter 1lm/m2 0.0931 fc
kPa kiloPascals 1000 Pascals 1 kPa 0.296 in Hg 0.145 psi
pressure
Pa Pascals 1 Pa 0.004 in wg
temperature °C degrees Celsius °C °F ‐ 32 / 1.8
velocity m/s meters per second 1 m/s 196.9 fpm
volume m3 cubic meters 1 m3 35.31 ft3

1 Btu Energy required to heat 1 lb of H2O from 39 ˚F to 40 ˚F

1 CCF 100000 Btu
1 ft inches 12
1 ft wc 0.434 psi
1 ft Hg 5.89 psi
inches ft x 12
1 mm Hg 0.535 in wc
1 in Hg 1.133 ft
1 kW/hr 3413 Btu
1 lb moisture 7000 grains
1 psi 2.307 ft wc
1 psi 27.681 in wc
1 psi 2.036 in Hg
1 Ton refrigeration 12000 Btu/hr
Atmospheric. Press 29.92 in Hg or 14.69 psi
Density of Air Std 0.075 lb/ft3
Density of Water Std 62.4 lb/ft3 or 7.49 gal/ft3 or 8.33 lb/gal
One foot of mercury Hg column 5.89 lb/in2 psi
One inch of mercury Hg column 13.6 inches in wg 1.13 ft wg
Specific Heat Cp of dry air 0.24 Btu/lb x ˚F @ 68°F
Specific Heat Cp ice 0.50 Btu/lb x ˚F @ 68°F
Specific Heat Cp vapor 0.45 Btu/lb x ˚F @ 68°F
Specific Heat Cp water 1.00 Btu/lb x ˚F @ 68°F
Specific Volume of Air Std 13.33 ft3/lb

Approved NEBB - January 11, 2018 Page 5 of 8 Version 1.31

 NEBB Fundamental Formulas
55 60
210
70

90
50 200
1.3

15.5
190
85
85

15.0
1.2
180
45
65

85 170
W
ET 1.1
BU
PSYCHROMETRIC CHART LB
160
80 TE
BAROMETRIC PRESSURE 29.921 inches of Mercury M 80
40 PE
RA

IR
TU 1

YA
RE 150

DR
-° 60

HUMIDITY RATIO - GRAINS OF MOISTURE PER POUND OF DRY AIR

F
- 80

OF
1.0 1.0
140

ND
0.8

OU
.9

°F
5000
2.0 75
SENSIBLE HEAT Qs -2000 35

RP
75

E-
4.0

VAPOR PRESSURE - INCHES OF MERCURY

0.6 TOTAL HEAT Qt 130

ENTHALPY - BTU PER POUND OF DRY AIR

- 8. -10

R
PE
300 00
-4-8.0

TU

14.5
0.5
0
.0

TU

RA
-2
0.4

-B
.0
-1.

PE
0.0 120 .8
-0.54
0.3

75
-0..3

0
-0
-0.2
-0.1

PY
0.2

EM
20
0
0.1

%
00

AL
55

25
NT
70

TH
30
50

110 70

TIO
.0
150

EN

RA
0

1000

.7

TU
ENTHALPY h
100

SA
HUMIDITY RATIO W 70
65
65
90 .6
25

65 50

14.0
60 80

%
60
90
20

SPEC
.5
70
%

%
IFIC
80

60

15
55
55

VOLU
15
%

60
70

.4

ME ft
50 55
50
%

45

³/lb O
60

50
13.5

10 45 50

F
% 45 .3
50

DRY
40
40
45 8%

AIR
% 40
40
35
5 40 30 35 .2
6%

DEW POINT - °F
30 %
30
13.0

35 30
25 20 40
30 4% 25
20 20%
0 25 20 .1
15 ITY
HUMID
12.5

20
10 LATIVE 10
0
5 15 10% RE 2% 10
-5 10
5 0
12.0

0
-20
-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120 125 130

Linric Company Psychrometric Chart, www.linric.com DRY BULB TEMPERATURE - °F

35
10 15 20 25 30

Approved NEBB - January 11, 2018 Page 6 of 8 Version 1.31

 NEBB Fundamental Formulas
0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35
SENSIBLE HEAT RATIO = Qs / Qt 0.40
15 16 17 18
0 0 0 0
14
0
47.0

40 46.0

0.98
13 45.0
0

1.00

1.02
44.0
38
43.0
35 0.45
42.0 35
12
0 36
41.0
18
40.0 0
35
W 34 39.0
11 ET
PSYCHROMETRIC CHART - METRIC 0

0.96
BU
LB 38.0
NORMAL TEMPERATURE TE 32 37.0
SI Units M 0.50
PE 17
RA 36.0 0
SEA LEVEL 10 TU
0 RE
BAROMETRIC PRESSURE: 101.325 kPa 30 35.0
-°
C 34.0
33.0
90 28
30 32.0 0.55 16
30 0

0.94
31.0

ENTHALPY - KJ PER KILOGRAM OF DRY AIR

26
- 30.0

VAPOR PRESSURE - MM OF MERCURY

1.0 1.0

IR
80 30

YA
29.0

DEW POINT TEMPERATURE - °C

25%
0.8
0.60

DR
24
11.7
SENSIBLE HEAT Qs
2.0
-4.6 28.0 15
0

OF
4.0
0.6 TOTAL HEAT Qt
- 8.0 -2.3 27.0

AM
7.0
0.5 -4-8.0 70 26.0
.0
GR 22

0.92
-2
0.4

.0

25.0 0.65
-1.

ILO
0.0
-00.5.4
0.3

- .3

0
-0
-0.2
-0.1
0.2

25
4.7
0 24.0
0.1

RK

20 25 14

HUMIDITY RATIO - GRAMS MOISTURE PER KILOGRAM DRY AIR

0
PE

60 23.0
1.2

KJ
3.5

22.0 0.70
25
Y-

18
2.3

21.0
LP

ENTHALPY h
HA

20.0

0.90
HUMIDITY RATIO W 50 0.75
T

16 13
EN

19.0 0
20 18.0
0.80 20
90%

%
17.0

15
40 14
20 16.0
%

0.85

0.88
80

15.0 12
12 0
14.0 0.90
VOL
%

30 TY
70

15 I 13.0
UME ID 15
M 0.95
HU 10 12.0
%

VE
60

15
- CU
0.86

TI 11.0 1.00
LA 11
RE

SENSIBLE HEAT RATIO = Qs / Qt

0
BIC

20 10.0
%

10 8
8%
50

9.0 10
MET

10 10 % 8.0
40
0.84

ER P

6
5 6% 7.0
0 5
ER K

% 6.0
5 30 10
0
-1
0.82

0 0 4 5.0
4%
G DR

0
-2
0 20% 4.0
ITY
0.80

-5
Y AIR

TIVE HUMID 3.0 -5

-3 -10 -5 RELA 2% 2
0 10%
0.78

2.0 -10
-15 -10
-20 90
0.76

-25 -15 1.0

-30
-35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70

DRY BULB TEMPERATURE - °C

80
-3 -2 -1 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
0 0 0

Approved NEBB - January 11, 2018 Page 7 of 8 Version 1.31

 NEBB Fundamental Formulas

Air Density Correction Factors (US Units) Standard Air Density (Sea Level & 70°F) = 0.075 lb/ft3 @ 29.92 in Hg
Altitude (ft) Sea Level 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000
Barometer (in Hg) 29.92 28.86 27.82 26.82 25.84 24.90 23.98 23.09 22.22 21.39 20.58
(in wg) 407.50 392.80 378.60 365.00 351.70 333.90 326.40 314.80 302.10 291.10 280.10
Air Temperature °F -40° 1.26 1.22 1.17 1.13 1.09 1.05 1.01 0.97 0.93 0.90 0.87
-0° 1.15 1.11 1.07 1.03 0.99 0.95 0.91 0.89 0.85 0.82 0.79
40° 1.06 1.02 0.99 0.95 0.92 0.88 0.85 0.82 0.79 0.76 0.73
70° 1.00 0.96 0.93 0.89 0.86 0.83 0.80 0.77 0.74 0.71 0.69
100° 0.95 0.92 0.88 0.85 0.81 0.78 0.75 0.73 0.70 0.68 0.65
150° 0.87 0.84 0.81 0.78 0.75 0.72 0.69 0.67 0.65 0.62 0.60
200° 0.80 0.77 0.74 0.71 0.69 0.66 0.64 0.62 0.60 0.57 0.55
250° 0.75 0.72 0.70 0.67 0.64 0.62 0.60 0.58 0.56 0.54 0.51
300° 0.70 0.67 0.65 0.62 0.60 0.58 0.56 0.54 0.52 0.50 0.48
350° 0.65 0.62 0.60 0.58 0.56 0.54 0.52 0.51 0.49 0.50 0.45
400° 0.62 0.60 0.57 0.55 0.53 0.51 0.49 0.48 0.46 0.44 0.42
450° 0.55 0.56 0.54 0.52 0.50 0.48 0.46 0.45 0.43 0.42 0.40
500° 0.58 0.53 0.51 0.49 0.47 0.45 0.44 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.38
550° 0.53 0.51 0.49 0.47 0.45 0.44 0.52 0.41 0.39 0.38 0.36
600° 0.50 0.48 0.46 0.45 0.43 0.41 0.40 0.39 0.37 0.35 0.34
700° 0.46 0.44 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.38 0.37 0.35 0.34 0.33 0.32
800° 0.42 0.40 0.39 0.37 0.36 0.35 0.33 0.32 0.31 0.30 0.29
Water Temperature °F 60° 150° 200° 250° 300° 340°
Feet head differential per inch Hg differential 1.046 1.070 1.090 1.110 1.150 1.165

Air Density Correction Factors (Metric Units) Standard Air Density (Sea Level & 20°C) = 1.204 kg/m3 @ 101.325 kPa
Altitude (m) Sea Level 250 500 750 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000 2500 3000
Barometer (kPa) 101.33 98.30 96.30 93.20 90.20 88.20 85.10 83.10 80.00 76.00 71.90
Air Temperature °C 0° 1.08 1.05 1.02 0.99 0.96 0.93 0.91 0.88 0.86 0.81 0.76
20° 1.00 0.97 0.95 0.92 0.89 0.87 0.84 0.82 0.79 0.75 0.71
50° 0.91 0.89 0.86 0.84 0.81 0.79 0.77 0.75 0.72 0.68 0.64
75° 0.85 0.82 0.80 0.78 0.75 0.73 0.71 0.69 0.67 0.63 0.60
100° 0.79 0.77 0.75 0.72 0.70 0.68 0.66 0.65 0.63 0.59 0.56
125° 0.74 0.72 0.70 0.68 0.66 0.64 0.62 0.60 0.59 0.55 0.52
150° 0.70 0.68 0.66 0.64 0.62 0.60 0.59 0.57 0.55 0.52 0.49
175° 0.66 0.64 0.62 0.62 0.59 0.57 0.55 0.54 0.52 0.49 0.46
200° 0.62 0.61 0.59 0.57 0.56 0.54 0.52 0.51 0.49 0.47 0.44
225° 0.59 0.56 0.56 0.54 0.53 0.51 0.50 0.48 0.47 0.44 0.42
250° 0.56 0.55 0.53 0.52 0.50 0.49 0.47 0.46 0.45 0.42 0.40
275° 0.54 0.52 0.51 0.49 0.48 0.47 0.45 0.44 0.43 0.40 0.38
300° 0.51 0.50 0.49 0.47 0.46 0.45 0.43 0.42 0.41 0.38 0.36
325° 0.49 0.48 0.47 0.45 0.44 0.43 0.41 0.40 0.39 0.37 0.35
350° 0.47 0.46 0.45 0.43 0.42 0.41 0.40 0.39 0.38 0.35 0.33
375° 0.46 0.44 0.43 0.42 0.41 0.39 0.38 0.37 0.36 0.34 0.32
400° 0.44 0.43 0.41 0.40 0.39 0.38 0.37 0.36 0.35 0.33 0.31
450° 0.41 0.40 0.38 0.37 0.36 0.35 0.34 0.33 0.32 0.31 0.29
500° 0.38 0.37 0.36 0.35 0.34 0.33 0.32 0.31 0.30 0.28 0.27
Water Temperature °C 15.5° 65.5° 93.2° 121° 148.7° 170.9°

Approved NEBB - January 11, 2018 Page 8 of 8 Version 1.31