Heat Flow 15

Chapter 2

Heat Flow

eat is energy in the form of molecules in motion. Heat flows from

H a warmer substance to a cooler substance. Heat energy flows

downhill! Heat does not rise, heated air rises!

Temperature is the level of heat (energy).

The lowest temperature is minus 460°F.
The sun’s temperature is approximately 27,000,000°F.
The temperatures associated with most HVAC systems range from 0°F
to 250°F.
Most people feel comfortable if the indoor air temperature is between
68°F and 78°F.

HEAT AND TEMPERATURE

Heat is energy in the form of molecules in motion. As a

substance becomes warmer, its molecular motion and energy
level (temperature) increases. Temperature describes the level of
heat (energy) with reference to no heat. Heat is a positive value
relative to no heat. Because all heat is a positive value in relation
to no heat, cold is not a true value. It is really an expression of
comparison. Cold has no number value and is used by most
people as a basis of comparison only. Therefore, warm and hot are
comparative terms used to describe higher temperature levels.
Cool and cold are comparative terms used to describe lower tem-
perature levels. The Fahrenheit scale is the standard system of
temperature measurement used in the United States. However,
the U.S. is one of the few countries in the world still using this
system. Most countries use the metric temperature measurement
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16 HVAC Fundamentals

system, which is the Celsius scale. The Fahrenheit and Celsius

scales are currently used interchangeably in the U.S. to describe
equipment and fundamentals in the heating, ventilating and air
conditioning industry.

STANDARD TEMPERATURES
ON THE FAHRENHEIT AND CELSIUS SCALES

Freezing point of (pure) water is:

32 degrees Fahrenheit (32°F) and zero degrees Celsius (0°C).

Boiling point of (pure) water is:

212 degrees Fahrenheit (212°F) and 100 degrees Celsius
(100°C).

Temperature Conversions for Fahrenheit and Celsius

°C = (°F - 32) ÷ 1.8
°F = 1.8 (°C) + 32

The following is a quick reference for estimating and con-

verting everyday temperatures from Celsius to Fahrenheit:
0°C is 32°F
16°C is approximately 61°F
28°C is approximately 82°F
37°C is 98.6°F
100°C is 212°F

Absolute Temperatures
The Fahrenheit absolute scale is the Rankine (°R) scale.
The Celsius absolute scale is the Kelvin (°K) scale.
Absolute zero is minus 460°F and 0°R, or minus 273°C and
0°K.
The Fahrenheit/Celsius and the Rankine/Kelvin scales are
used interchangeably to describe equipment and fundamentals of
the heating and air conditioning industry.