31/08/2026
๐ก๏ธ HEAT TRANSFER BASICS
THE HEART OF HVAC & REFRIGERATION
Heat transfer is the foundation of every HVAC system. Understanding how heat moves helps engineers and technicians design, operate and troubleshoot HVAC equipment more effectively.
๐ฅ THE BASIC RULE
Heat always moves from a HIGHER temperature to a LOWER temperature.
In an AC system:
๐ Indoor air โ Ev***rator coil
โ๏ธ Refrigerant absorbs heat
๐ฅ Condenser โ Outdoor air
๐ฌ๏ธ Heat is rejected outside
3๏ธโฃ MODES OF HEAT TRANSFER
1. CONDUCTION
Heat transfer through a solid material.
Example: Heat passing through a duct wall.
2. CONVECTION
Heat transfer between a surface and moving air/water/refrigerant.
Example: Air passing across a cooling coil.
3. RADIATION
Heat transfer through electromagnetic waves.
Example: Heat from the sun.
๐ IMPORTANT HVAC FORMULA
Sensible Heat:
Q = m ร Cp ร ฮT
Where:
๐น Q = Heat
๐น m = Mass flow
๐น Cp = Specific heat
๐น ฮT = Temperature difference
โ๏ธ WHAT AFFECTS HEAT TRANSFER?
โ
Temperature difference
โ
Coil surface area
โ
Air/water velocity
โ
Cleanliness of coils
โ
Material conductivity
โ
Refrigerant condition
โ
Humidity
โ
Proper airflow & water flow
๐จโ๐ง PRACTICAL HVAC TIP
Dirty coil + poor airflow = Poor heat transfer = Poor cooling performance
That's why regular cleaning and proper airflow are so important.
๐ง PRACTICAL QUESTION
Air enters a cooling coil at:
30ยฐC DB / 60% RH
Leaves at:
16ยฐC DB / 90% RH
Airflow = 1,000 CFM
If the Sensible Heat Factor (SHF) = 0.75 and sensible heat = 18,000 BTU/hr:
๐ What is the approximate TOTAL COOLING CAPACITY?
A) 18,000 BTU/hr
B) 22,500 BTU/hr
C) 24,000 BTU/hr
D) 26,500 BTU/hr
๐ Comment your answer and explain your calculation!
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