College of Engineering

Dept. of Architectural Engineering

Environment and Sustainable Architecture

Lecture 3

Riman Mohammed Said Bashir

 Heat and Temperature
Heat:
• The heat of an object is the aggregate energy of all molecular movement inside the
object.

• A form of energy that is transmitted from one object or source to another due to the
differences in their temperature.

• It moves from a hotter object to the cooler one. Its measurement can be done in energy
units, i.e. calorie or joules.

The transfer of heat can take place in three ways, which are:

• Conduction
• Convection
• Radiation
Conduction:

• Conduction transfers heat via direct molecular collision. An area of greater energy
will transfer thermal energy to an area with lower energy.

• It is the most common form of heat transfer and occurs via physical contact. For
examples; would be to place your hand against a window or place metal into an
open flame.

The process of heat conduction depends on the following factors:

• Temperature gradient,
• Cross-section of the material,
• Length of the travel path,
• Physical material properties.
The temperature gradient is the physical quantity that describes the direction and
rate of heat travel. Temperature flow will always occur from hottest to coldest. Once
there’s thermal equilibrium between the two temperature differences, the thermal
transfer stops.

Cross-section and path of travel both play an important part in conduction. The
greater the size and length of an object, the more energy that’s required to heat it. And
the greater the surface area that’s exposed, the more heat is lost. Smaller objects with
small cross-sections have minimal heat loss.

Physical properties determine which materials transfer heat better than others.
Specifically, the thermal conductivity coefficient dictates that a metal material will
conduct heat better than cloth when it comes to conduction.
Convection:

• When a fluid, such as air or a liquid, is heated and then travels away from the
source, it carries the thermal energy along.

• This type of heat transfer is called convection. The fluid above a hot surface
expands, becomes less dense, and rises.

• As the immediate hot air rises, it pushes denser, colder air down. This series of
events represents how convection currents are formed.

• A space heater is a classic convection example. As the space heater heats the air
surrounding it near the floor, the air will increase in temperature, expand, and rise to
the top of the room. This forces down the cooler air so that it becomes heated, thus
creating a convection current.
Radiation:

• Thermal radiation generates from the emission of electromagnetic waves. These

waves carry the energy away from the emitting object.

• Radiation occurs through a vacuum or any transparent medium (either solid or

fluid). Thermal radiation is the direct result of random movements of atoms and
molecules in matter.

• All materials radiate thermal energy based on their temperature. The hotter an
object, the more it will radiate. The sun is a clear example of heat radiation that
transfers heat across the solar system.

• Solar cell or photovoltaic cell, converts the energy of light into electricity via the
photovoltaic effect. Light is absorbed and excites the electron to a higher energy
state and the electric potential is produced by the separation of charges.
Temperature:

• It is defined as the average kinetic energy of all molecules together, i.e. average
energy of all the particles in an object.

• As an average measurement, the temperature of a substance does not rely on its size
(number of particles) and type. It identifies how hot or cold an object is, in degrees.

• Temperature can be measured in various scales, which are; Kelvin, Celsius and
Fahrenheit. The thermometer is used to gauge the temperature of the object.
Differences between Heat and Temperature:
Heat Temperature
It is a form of energy that gives the It is the degree of hotness or coldness of a
sensation of warmth. body.
Heat is the cause for the change in Temperature is the effect of heat.
temperature.
It is measured with the help of calorimeter. It is measured with the help of
thermometer.

Heat energy as such will not determine the Temperature is the indication for the
direction of heat flow. direction of flow of heat. Heat always
flows from the region of high temperature
to the region of low temperature.
Heat depends on the mass of the body. Temperature doesn’t depend on the mass
of the body.
Heat Transfer in Buildings:
• Creating a comfortable interior environment while using energy efficiently is a
common goal in building design.

• Reducing heat transfer between the interior and exterior environments is often a
priority in designing energy-efficient buildings.

• It is important to note that in some cases heat transfer is desirable. For example, in
cold climates during the winter, radiant heat from the sun allowed to pass through
windows can be collected and stored in “thermal mass,” such as concrete slabs,
brick walls and floors which is the conduction.

• The stored thermal energy can then be transferred into the living space through
natural convection and radiation. This process is referred to as passive solar
heating and can reduce the energy demands to heat the building.
 Which mode of heat transfer is represented by each type of arrow?

Which type of heat transfer occurs when heat is

passed through the building envelope (walls,
roof, doors) and is represented by these arrows?

How is heat transferred through transparent

materials such as sunlight through windows?

What mode of heat transfer occurs when

warm air is lost through openings, cracks,
and air leaks?
Conduction

Radiation

Convection
Heat gain occurs in summer, when air conditioning cools the inside air. The outside
temperature is higher than the inside temperature.

Heat loss occurs in the winter, when a heating system warms the inside air. The
outside temperature is lower than the inside temperature.
Heating System Design
• In order to effectively heat a space, the heating system must provide at least as
much thermal energy as is lost through heat transfer.
• It is desirable to minimize heat loss by minimizing the conductance through the
thermal envelope (Insulation and Windows).
• Minimize convection by eliminating the air leaks in building envelope.

Cooling System Design

• In order to effectively cool a space, the cooling system must remove at least as
much thermal energy as is added through heat transfer.
• It is desirable to minimize heat gain by minimizing the conductance through the
thermal envelope (Insulation) and designing eaves on windows to block
unwanted solar radiation gain.
• Minimize convection by eliminating the air leaks in building envelope.