What Is This Tool?
This tool converts the heat transfer coefficient from the imperial unit Btu (IT)/second/square foot/°F to the metric-related unit CHU/hour/square foot/°C. It helps translate values commonly used in US customary engineering into globally recognized units important for thermal performance and energy modeling.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the heat transfer coefficient value in Btu (IT)/second/square foot/°F.
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Select the desired unit to convert to: CHU/hour/square foot/°C.
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Click the convert button to get the equivalent value.
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Review the output to apply in your thermal design or analysis.
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Use converted values to support HVAC load calculations or building envelope assessments.
Key Features
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Converts imperial heat transfer coefficients to metric system units.
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Provides a direct numerical conversion based on established rates.
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Supports unit translation important for HVAC, refrigeration, and building design.
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Simple, browser-based interface for quick calculations.
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Helps compare and analyze thermal performance using standard U-values.
Examples
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2 Btu (IT)/second/square foot/°F converts to approximately 7200 CHU/hour/square foot/°C.
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0.5 Btu (IT)/second/square foot/°F converts to approximately 1800 CHU/hour/square foot/°C.
Common Use Cases
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Specifying heat transfer coefficients for HVAC and refrigeration equipment.
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Rating overall heat transfer in heat exchangers and building surfaces.
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Estimating heat loss or gain in energy modeling and building design.
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Comparing building envelope thermal performance with U-values.
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Ensuring compliance with insulation and fenestration regulations.
Tips & Best Practices
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Ensure input values represent steady-state conditions for accurate conversion.
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Use the converted units to align with international and regional building codes.
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Confirm the temperature difference units correspond to the Celsius scale post-conversion.
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Apply conversions consistently when modeling HVAC loads or thermal insulation.
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Review rounded results carefully for critical engineering assessments.
Limitations
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Assumes steady-state heat transfer without accounting for transient effects.
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Depends on uniform definitions of temperature differences across regions.
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Nominal decimal precision may require rounding for practical application.
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Differences in standards could influence conversion accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why convert from Btu (IT)/second/square foot/°F to CHU/hour/square foot/°C?
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Converting units allows comparing thermal performance across different measurement systems and supports compliance with building codes that use Celsius and hourly heat transfer rates.
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Can this conversion be used for transient heat transfer calculations?
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No, the conversion assumes steady-state heat transfer conditions and may not be accurate for transient or time-varying scenarios.
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Does this tool support other heat transfer coefficient units?
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This tool specifically converts between Btu (IT)/second/square foot/°F and CHU/hour/square foot/°C as described; other units are not included.
Key Terminology
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Btu (IT)/second/square foot/°F
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An imperial heat transfer coefficient unit measuring thermal power transferred per square foot with a one degree Fahrenheit temperature difference.
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CHU/hour/square foot/°C
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A heat transfer coefficient expressing heat flow per hour per square foot for each degree Celsius temperature difference, analogous to U-values.
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Heat Transfer Coefficient
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A parameter indicating the rate of heat transfer per unit area per unit temperature difference across a surface.