Hoffman Heating And Cooling Equation:
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The Hoffman Heating And Cooling equation calculates BTU (British Thermal Units) from CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) and temperature difference. It is commonly used in HVAC systems to determine heating and cooling capacity requirements.
The calculator uses the Hoffman equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation calculates the energy transfer rate based on air flow and temperature difference, where 1.08 is a derived constant that incorporates air density and specific heat.
Details: Accurate BTU calculation is essential for proper HVAC system sizing, energy efficiency optimization, and ensuring adequate heating and cooling capacity for residential and commercial spaces.
Tips: Enter CFM in cubic feet per minute and temperature difference in Fahrenheit. All values must be valid positive numbers.
Q1: What does the 1.08 constant represent?
A: The constant 1.08 is derived from air density (0.075 lb/ft³), specific heat of air (0.24 BTU/lb-°F), and conversion from minutes to hours (60 min/hour).
Q2: When is this equation typically used?
A: This equation is commonly used in HVAC design and analysis to calculate heating and cooling loads for air handling systems.
Q3: What are typical CFM values for residential systems?
A: Residential systems typically range from 400-2000 CFM depending on the size of the space and system capacity requirements.
Q4: How does temperature difference affect BTU output?
A: BTU output increases linearly with temperature difference - doubling the ΔT will double the BTU output for the same CFM.
Q5: Can this equation be used for both heating and cooling?
A: Yes, the same equation applies to both heating and cooling calculations, with ΔT representing the temperature difference across the system.