What Is This Tool?
This converter allows you to change thermal conductivity measurements from Btu (th) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F, based on the thermochemical British thermal unit, to Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F, which uses the International Table definition of the British thermal unit. It is designed to support building construction, insulation design, and HVAC system engineering by ensuring consistent unit standards.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the thermal conductivity value in Btu (th) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F units.
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Select Btu (th) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F as the input unit.
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Choose Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F as the output unit.
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Click the convert button to get the equivalent value in Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F.
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Use the result to specify insulation properties or perform heat transfer calculations consistently.
Key Features
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Converts thermal conductivity values between two U.S. customary units: Btu (th) and Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F.
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Supports building and HVAC engineering requirements by aligning unit standards.
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Browser-based and easy to use for quick conversion tasks.
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Includes example conversions to validate accuracy.
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Focuses on thermal conductivity measurement conditions of 1 inch thickness, 1 square foot area, and 1°F temperature difference.
Examples
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1 Btu (th) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F = 0.9993312315 Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F
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10 Btu (th) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F = 9.993312315 Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F
Common Use Cases
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Specifying insulation materials' thermal conductivity in building product datasheets.
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Calculating steady-state heat transfer through walls, roofs, or glazing for HVAC load and energy modeling.
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Comparing thermal performance of construction materials according to North American building codes.
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Converting thermal conductivity units to align with international and U.S. customary engineering standards.
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Performing energy modeling and HVAC system load calculations using consistent thermal conductivity data.
Tips & Best Practices
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Always verify unit definitions to ensure proper conversion between thermochemical and International Table Btu units.
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Use this conversion to maintain consistency in engineering documentation and calculations.
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Consider the slight difference caused by unit definitions when precision is critical in detailed engineering tasks.
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Apply this conversion only when thermal conductivity is measured under the stated conditions: 1 inch thickness, 1 square foot area, and 1°F difference.
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Use the conversion results to support compliant and accurate building energy modeling and HVAC sizing.
Limitations
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The difference arises due to thermochemical versus International Table definitions of the British thermal unit.
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Small conversion factor less than 1 means a minor difference but relevant in precise calculations.
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This conversion applies specifically to thermal conductivity measured under fixed thickness, area, and temperature differential conditions.
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Not suitable for thermal conductivity measurements that deviate from the specified unit conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why convert between Btu (th) and Btu (IT) for thermal conductivity?
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Converting ensures consistency with building and HVAC engineering standards, which typically use the International Table definition of Btu.
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Does the conversion change thermal conductivity by a large amount?
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No, the difference is slight since 1 Btu (th) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F equals approximately 0.9993 Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F.
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Can I use this conversion for any thermal conductivity measurement?
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This conversion is only valid for measurements under specified conditions of 1 inch thickness, 1 square foot area, and 1°F temperature difference.
Key Terminology
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Btu (th) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F
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A thermal conductivity unit expressing heat flow using thermochemical British thermal units per hour through 1 inch thickness and 1 square foot area for a 1°F difference.
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Btu (IT) inch/hour/sq. foot/°F
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A unit of thermal conductivity using the International Table British thermal unit definition for heat transfer per hour per inch thickness and square foot area for a 1°F temperature difference.
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Thermal Conductivity
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A property quantifying the ability of a material to conduct heat under specific conditions of thickness, area, and temperature difference.