Activity 2.2.

3 Heat Loss and Gain

You may round the transmission load to the nearest whole number.
Surface

RValue

U-Factor

Area

Transmissio
n Load

1/R

Square Feet

Degree
sF

Btu/Hour

West Wall

14.13

0.070

128

61

547

East Wall

14.13

0.070

112

50

392

North Wall

14.13

0.070

110.25

50

386

South Wall

14.13

0.070

68.25

50

239

28.06

0.03563
7

120

50

214

Door

1.67

0.5988

42

50

1257

Window

0.88

1.13636

16

50

909

Ceiling/Roof

TOTAL TRANSMISSION LOAD

3944

After finding the total Btu/H for each surface (walls, window, door, roof/ceiling), total
all transmission loads for the structure.

Optional: Use the Excel Transmission Loads Worksheet and create your
transmission loads table electronically using appropriate formulas to calculate the Ufactor and the transmission loads.

1. Size Unit
If heat loss through the building components is the only consideration, what size
heating unit should you specify for the Example Utility Shed? Note that heating units
are often specified to the nearest 1,000 Btu/H.
Goodman 1 ton 14-sear horizontal heat pump
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Civil Engineering and Architecture Heat Loss and Gain Page 1

Assume that you had just performed the previous calculation such that you had
found the heat gain in the summer (rather than the heat loss in the winter). What
size air conditioning unit would you need if there are two people working in the shed
(adding 450 Btu/H) and equipment that contributes 2000 Btu/H heat gain? Note that
air conditioners are often sized by the ton. Remember that 1 ton of unit capacity =
12,000 Btu/H. Round up to the next half ton.

1. Research heaters and make a recommendation for heating equipment for the
utility shed.
Recommend a system which provides enough power to effectively heat the structure
at least 1.5 times over to ensure a comfortable interior

2. Energy Efficiency/Savings
What modifications could be made to this structure to make it more energy efficient?
Implement at least one change to the design and then show the change it makes to
the total heat transmission load using the Excel Transmission Loads Worksheet.xls.
Some changes you may want to consider include double-glazed windows, insulated
doors, and/or a more effective insulation. Energy efficient design components should
be noted in blank rows of the Transmission Loads Worksheet such that the
transmission load for each surface in the redesigned envelope is shown in the right
column on the transmission load worksheet. What is the difference in Btu/H?
Btu/H Savings: _623 Btu/H_

Conclusion
1 Where does the greatest heat loss occur in this structure?
-

The greatest heat loss occurs through the door and windows of the structure as
they are open to the outside, have no insulation, and can be opened (not sealed)

3. What was the most significant change made to make this structure more
energy efficient?

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Changing the door to an insulated door caused the biggest reduction in the heat
loss of the structure. Considering that the largest concentration of heat loss was
in fact coming from the door, this change has effectively depleted the issue.

4. What effect could using 2x6 studs in the shed construction have on energy
heat loss/gain?
-

2x6 studs would only reduce heat loss by a fraction if replacing the original 2x4s.
Since the studs do not cover the entire surface area of the roof loss can still
occur around them.

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