Heat Transfer Coefficient Converter

About This Tool

This Heat Transfer Coefficient Converter is a critical tool for building science, mechanical engineering, and thermodynamics. It converts units of the heat transfer coefficient (often denoted as h or U), which quantifies the rate of heat transfer between a solid surface and a fluid, or across a composite material. The base unit is watt per square meter-Kelvin (W/(m²·K)).

This value is essential for analyzing convective and conductive heat transfer. In building construction, it is known as the U-value or U-factor, which measures how well a building element (like a window or wall) transfers heat. A lower U-value indicates better insulation performance.

Tips & Features

• Understanding the U-Value: The unit 'watt per square meter-Kelvin' represents the rate of heat transfer (in watts) per square meter of surface area for every one Kelvin of temperature difference between the surface and the fluid (or across the material).
• U-Value vs. R-Value: The U-value is the reciprocal of the R-value (U = 1/R). While R-value measures a material's resistance to heat flow, the U-value measures its overall ability to transfer heat. This tool directly converts U-value units.
• Applications: This coefficient is crucial for designing heat exchangers, sizing radiators and cooling systems, and calculating the energy performance of buildings.