Energy University

HVAC and Characteristics of Air

HVAC Glossary of Terms

Dew Point Temperature

Dew Point Temperature is the temperature at which the air can no longer contain
all its moisture, and water will begin to condense out of the air.
Dry Bulb Temperature
Dry Bulb Temperature is the commonly measured temperature from a
thermometer. This gives us a good representation of the level of sensible heat in
a sample of air.
Enthalpy
Enthalpy is often referred to as Total Heat and is the heat energy content of
moist air. It represents the total heat contained in a sample of air and it takes into
account both temperature and humidity levels (sensible and latent heat).
Latent Heat
Latent heat is the quantity of heat absorbed or released by a substance
undergoing a change of state, such as ice changing to water or water to steam.
Latent heat is contained in the moisture content in the air.
Relative Humidity
Relative humidity is a measure of the water content in the air compared to the
maximum it could hold at that temperature. RH is dimensionless, and is usually
expressed as a percentage.
Sensible Heat
Sensible heat is the heat absorbed or evolved by a substance during a change of
temperature that is not accompanied by a change of state. Sensible heat,
sometimes referred to as simple heat, is based on the temperature of the air,
which can be measured with a typical thermometer.
Wet Bulb Temperature
Wet Bulb Temperature is determined when air is circulated past a wet sensing
tip. Wet-bulb temperature (WBT) is that of an air sample after it has passed
through a constant-pressure, ideal, adiabatic saturation process, that is, after the
air has passed over a large surface of liquid water in an insulated channel. Using
the wet bulb and dry bulb temperature the moisture content and latent heat of air
can be determined from a psychrometric chart.

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respective owners.

Energy University
HVAC and Characteristics of Air
HVAC Glossary of Terms
Sensible Heat Formulas
US Formula
The amount of heat transferred can be expressed as
Q = 1.08 * v * t
where
Q = heat transferred (Btu/h)
1.08 = a constant for sensible heat equations
v = airflow (cfm)
t = air temperature difference (F)
Metric Formula
The amount of heat transferred can be expressed as
Q = 0.34 * v * t
where
Q = heat transferred (watts = joules / second)
0.34 = a constant for sensible heat equations
v = airflow (m3/hr)
t = air temperature difference (C)

Total Heat Formulas

US Formula
The amount of heat transferred can be expressed as
Q = 4.5 * v * h
where
Q = total heat transferred (BTU/h)
4.5 = a constant for total heat equations
v = airflow (cfm)
h = enthalpy difference (BTU / lb)
Metric Formula
The amount of heat transferred can be expressed as
Q = 1.201 * v * h
where
Q = total heat transferred (kW)
1.201 = a constant for total heat equations
v = airflow (m3/s)
h = enthalpy difference (kJ / kg)
2009 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved. All trademarks provided are the property of their
respective owners.