What Is This Tool?
This converter helps you switch thermal conductivity measurements from Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F—a unit used for heat transfer through materials measured in inches thickness—to Btu (th) foot/hour/sq. foot/°F, which uses a foot thickness basis. It supports accurate and consistent thermal performance evaluations in building and HVAC engineering.
How to Use This Tool?
-
Enter the thermal conductivity value in Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F unit
-
Select the conversion to Btu (th) foot/hour/sq. foot/°F unit
-
Click convert to obtain the equivalent value in the desired unit
-
Use the converted result for insulation specifications or heat transfer calculations
Key Features
-
Converts thermal conductivity between Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F and Btu (th) foot/hour/sq. foot/°F units
-
Supports calculations aligned with building product datasheets and energy modeling
-
Browser-based and easy to use for quick unit conversions
-
Helps compare insulation material properties using common imperial units
-
Useful for HVAC load calculations and thermal resistance estimations
Examples
-
10 Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F converts to 0.8339 Btu (th) foot/hour/sq. foot/°F
-
5 Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F converts to 0.4169 Btu (th) foot/hour/sq. foot/°F
Common Use Cases
-
Specifying thermal conductivity of insulation materials like fiberglass or rigid foam in building datasheets
-
Performing heat transfer analysis through walls, roofs, or glazing for HVAC energy modeling
-
Converting between inch-based and foot-based thermal conductivity units in engineering calculations
-
Comparing thermal properties of building materials according to North American standards
-
Estimating heat loss and calculating thermal resistance following Imperial unit conventions
Tips & Best Practices
-
Ensure steady-state conduction assumptions apply when using converted values
-
Use the tool for uniform, one-dimensional heat transfer scenarios
-
Maintain consistent unit usage across project documentation to avoid calculation errors
-
Understand that small variations may occur due to Btu definition differences
-
Always double-check conversions for critical engineering design steps
Limitations
-
Does not account for complex multidimensional heat flow or transient thermal effects
-
Minor discrepancies may arise from differences between International Table and Thermochemical Btu definitions
-
Designed for steady-state conduction through uniform thickness materials only
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Why convert from Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F to Btu (th) foot/hour/sq. foot/°F?
-
Converting between these units helps align measurements with different thickness conventions in thermal conductivity assessments, ensuring consistent use in building and HVAC engineering applications.
Key Terminology
-
Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F
-
A unit of thermal conductivity measuring heat transfer per hour through a 1 inch thick material with 1 square foot area for a 1°F temperature difference, based on the International Table Btu definition.
-
Btu (th) foot/hour/sq. foot/°F
-
A unit of thermal conductivity describing heat transfer per hour through a 1 foot thick material with 1 square foot cross-section for a 1°F difference, using Thermochemical Btu value.