What Is This Tool?
This converter transforms heat transfer coefficient values from calorie (IT) per second per square centimeter per degree Celsius to CHU per hour per square foot per degree Celsius. It enables users to translate convective heat transfer measurements from less common calorie-based units into widely used formats relevant for thermal performance evaluation and energy modeling.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the value in calorie (IT)/second/square centimeter/°C you wish to convert.
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Select the target unit CHU/hour/square foot/°C as the desired output.
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Click the convert button to receive the equivalent heat transfer coefficient value.
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Use the result for building envelope or HVAC load calculations as needed.
Key Features
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Converts heat transfer coefficients between calorie (IT)/second/square centimeter/°C and CHU/hour/square foot/°C units.
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Supports steady-state heat flux calculations useful in building and HVAC engineering.
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Provides a simple interface to facilitate translation of experimental or legacy heat transfer data.
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Helps compare and analyze thermal performance of building components using common unit systems.
Examples
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2 calorie (IT)/second/square centimeter/°C converts to approximately 14746.76 CHU/hour/square foot/°C.
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0.5 calorie (IT)/second/square centimeter/°C converts to around 3686.69 CHU/hour/square foot/°C.
Common Use Cases
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Designing heat exchangers or cooling systems involving fluid flow over surfaces with convective heat transfer.
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Performing experimental heat transfer measurements in laboratory convection studies.
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Evaluating thermal insulation and fenestration performance for building retrofit assessments and code compliance.
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Estimating heat loss or gain during HVAC load calculations and energy modeling.
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Comparing U-values of walls, windows, and roofs in building envelope design.
Tips & Best Practices
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Ensure steady-state conditions when using converted values for calculations.
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Verify consistency of surface area units when interpreting converted data.
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Use this tool primarily for legacy data or specialized research involving calorie-based heat transfer units.
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Cross-check results with other standard units if working across metric and imperial systems.
Limitations
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Assumes steady-state heat transfer and uniform surface areas for accurate conversion.
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Calorie (IT)-based units are less common and mainly relevant to legacy or experimental contexts.
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May require extra unit conversions when integrating with other metric or imperial parameters.
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Variations in experimental setups can affect the precision of heat transfer coefficient data.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does calorie (IT)/second/square centimeter/°C measure?
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It quantifies convective heat transfer by measuring how much heat is transferred per second through one square centimeter of surface area for each degree Celsius temperature difference.
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Why convert to CHU/hour/square foot/°C?
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CHU/hour/square foot/°C is a practical and commonly used unit in building science to express steady-state heat transfer rates and compare thermal performance of building components.
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Can I use this converter for transient heat transfer?
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No, the conversion assumes steady-state conditions; it is not suitable for transient or time-varying heat transfer scenarios.
Key Terminology
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Calorie (IT)/second/square centimeter/°C
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A unit expressing the convective heat transfer coefficient based on the International-Table calorie transferred per second over a square centimeter per degree Celsius of temperature difference.
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CHU/hour/square foot/°C
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A steady-state heat transfer coefficient unit describing heat flow through a surface per unit area for each degree Celsius, commonly used in building thermal performance evaluation.
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Heat Transfer Coefficient
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A measure quantifying the rate of heat transfer through a surface area per unit temperature difference.
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Steady-State Conditions
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A scenario where variables such as temperature and heat flow remain constant over time, ensuring consistent conversion of units.
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U-Value
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A metric of thermal transmittance representing the rate of heat transfer through a building element.