Energy University

HVAC and characteristics of air

Sensible heat calculations - US customary units
The amount of heat transferred can be expressed as
Q = 1.08 * v * Δt
where
Q = heat transferred (Btu/h)
1.08 = a constant for sensible heat equations
v = airflow (cfm)
Δt = air temperature difference (ºF)

Example problem
A sensible heat recovery system operates as part of an air conditioning system.
The outside air temperature is 50ºF and the exhaust air temperature is 70ºF. The system operates at 70%
efficiency and processes 45,000 cfm.

To approach this problem we use the formula above. But this system doesn't recover all the heat, only 70%. So
we need to add that to the equation:

Q = 1.08 * v * Δt * n
where n is the efficiency

Financial expression
If this heat recovery system runs 6 hours per day all year, Monday - Saturday, how much is it saving if electricity
costs 7.5c per kWh?

© 2010 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved. All trademarks provided are the property of their respective owners
Energy University
HVAC and characteristics of air
Sensible heat calculations - metric units
The amount of heat transferred can be expressed as
Q = 0.34 * v * Δt
where
Q = heat transferred (watts = joules / second)
0.34 = a constant for sensible heat equations
v = airflow (m3/hr)
Δt = air temperature difference (ºC)

Example problem
A sensible heat recovery system operates as part of an air conditioning system.
The outside air temperature is 10ºC and the exhaust air temperature is 21.11ºC. The system operates at 70%
efficiency and processes 76,464 cubic meters of air per hour.

To approach this problem we use the formula above. But this system doesn't recover all the heat, only 70%.
So we need to add that to the equation:

Q = 0.34 * v * Δt * n
where n is the efficiency

Financial expression
If this heat recovery system runs 6 hours per day all year, Monday - Saturday, how much is it saving if electricity
costs 7.5c per kWh?

© 2010 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved. All trademarks provided are the property of their respective owners