What Is This Tool?
This tool converts thermal conductivity units between Btu (th) foot/hour/sq. foot/°F and kilocalorie (th)/hour/meter/°C, enabling seamless translation of heat transfer measurements across Imperial and metric calorie-based systems used in building engineering and HVAC.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the thermal conductivity value in Btu (th) foot/hour/sq. foot/°F
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Select kilocalorie (th)/hour/meter/°C as the target unit
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Click to convert and receive the corresponding thermal conductivity value
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Use the result for engineering, comparison, or documentation purposes
Key Features
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Converts thermal conductivity values accurately between Btu (th) foot/hour/sq. foot/°F and kilocalorie (th)/hour/meter/°C
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Supports users working with both Imperial and metric calorie-based unit systems
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Ideal for building, HVAC, and industrial thermal system applications
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Browser-based and easy to use without needing specialized software
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Provides quick conversion using established thermal conduction principles
Examples
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Convert 5 Btu (th) foot/hour/sq. foot/°F to kilocalorie (th)/hour/meter/°C results in 7.440819718 kcal/(h·m·°C)
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Convert 0.2 Btu (th) foot/hour/sq. foot/°F to kilocalorie (th)/hour/meter/°C results in 0.297632789 kcal/(h·m·°C)
Common Use Cases
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Specifying thermal conductivity for building materials and insulation using different unit systems
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Converting heat transfer data for walls, roofs, windows, pipes, ducts, and heat exchangers
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Integrating legacy or regional technical data that uses calorie-based thermal units
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Performing engineering calculations for heat transfer in HVAC and industrial applications
Tips & Best Practices
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Double-check temperature and dimensional units due to differences between °F and °C, and feet and meters
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Use steady-state conduction conditions as the basis for interpretation of results
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Be aware of potential minor rounding differences from the conversion factor precision
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Reference original unit definitions to confirm appropriate use in calculations
Limitations
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Temperature unit differences between Fahrenheit and Celsius require careful attention
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Dimensional unit differences between feet and meters must be considered
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Conversion factor precision may introduce small rounding discrepancies
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Assumes steady-state heat conduction governed by Fourier’s law; not suitable for transient conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does Btu (th) foot/hour/sq. foot/°F measure?
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It measures thermal conductivity quantifying heat transfer rate through a material with one foot thickness and one square foot cross-section for a 1 °F temperature difference.
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Why convert to kilocalorie (th)/hour/meter/°C?
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Because it enables comparison and calculations using metric units commonly employed in HVAC and building engineering worldwide.
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Are there any precautions when converting these units?
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Yes, be mindful of unit differences in temperature and dimensions, and understand the assumption of steady-state conduction.
Key Terminology
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Thermal Conductivity
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A measure of a material’s ability to conduct heat, expressed as heat flow through a specific thickness and area for a temperature difference.
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Btu (th) foot/hour/sq. foot/°F
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An Imperial unit quantifying thermal conductivity based on heat transfer per hour through one foot thickness, one square foot cross-section, and one degree Fahrenheit difference.
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Kilocalorie (th)/hour/meter/°C
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A metric thermal conductivity unit expressing heat flow per hour through one meter of thickness for a one degree Celsius temperature difference.
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Fourier’s Law
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A fundamental law describing steady-state heat conduction where heat flux is proportional to the negative temperature gradient and thermal conductivity.