Fabric Heat Loss

Fabric heat loss is through walls, windows, floor and roof and any other material where there is a
temperature difference.

The formula for fabric heat transfer is:

Q = ‘U’ . A . dt

Where:
Q = Heat transfer (Watts)
‘U’ = ‘U’ value (W/m2degC)
A = Cross sectional area of wall (m2)
dt = Temperature difference between inside & outside (degC)

Example 4

Calculate the heat flow through the wall shown below.

The ‘U’ value for the wall is 3.0 W/m2 oC

Q = ‘U’ . A . dt
Q = 3.0 x 6.0 x 2.5 x ( 20 - - 2 )

Q = 3.0 x 15.0 x 22

Q = 990 Watts

Example 5

Calculate the heat flow through the wall shown below.

The ‘U’ value for the wall is 0.317 W/m2 oC

Q = ‘U’ . A . dt

Q = 0.317 x 6.0 x 2.5 x ( 20 - - 2 )

Q = 0.317 x 15.0 x 22

Q = 104.6 Watts
Example 6

Calculate the heat flow through the wall shown below.

The ‘U’ value for the blockwork in the wall is 0.317 W/m2 oC

The ‘U’ value for the double-glazed window is 2.8 W/m2 oC.

The window size is 2.0 m long x 1.0 m high.

Q = ‘U’ . A . dt

First calculate the heat loss through the window.

Q = 2.8 x 2.0 x 1.0 x ( 20 - - 2 )

Q = 2.8 x 2.0 x 22

Q = 123.20 Watts

Next calculate the heat loss through the blockwork.

Q = 0.317 x ( 15.0 - 2.0) x ( 20 - - 2 )

Q = 0.317 x 13 x 22

Q = 90.66 Watts
Finally calculate the total heat loss

Q total = heat loss through window + heat loss through blockwork

Q total = 123.20 + 90.66

Q total = 213.86 Watts.

Total Heat Loss Calculations

Example 8

Calculate the total heat loss from the building shown below i.e. the fabric and ventilation losses.

Rectangular Building dimensions : 6.0 metres long x 3.0 metres wide x 2.5 metres high.
The window size is 2.0 m long x 1.0 m high.
The air change rate due to natural ventilation is 2 air changes per hour.

It is normal to ignore the door without glazing and add it into the wall area in most calculations although
for very accurate methods the door could be calculated separately.
Q = ‘U’ . A . dt

First calculate the heat loss through the window ( as in example 6)

Q window = 2.8 x 2.0 x 1.0 x ( 20 - - 2 )
Q window = 2.8 x 2.0 x 22
Q window = 123.20 Watts

Second calculate the heat loss through the blockwork.

Q front wall = 0.317 x ( 15.0 - 2.0) x ( 20 - - 2 )
Q front wall = 0.317 x 13 x 22
Q front wall = 90.66 Watts
Q rear wall = 0.317 x 15 x 22
Q rear wall = 104.61 Watts
Q side walls = 0.317 x 2 ( 3.0 x 2.5 ) x 22
Q side walls = 104.61 Watts
Q walls total = 90.66 Watts + 104.61 Watts + 104.61 Watts = 299.88 Watts

Third calculate the heat loss through the floor.

Q floor = 0.7 x 6.0 x 3.0 x 22
Q floor = 277.20 Watts
Fourth calculate the heat loss through the roof
Q roof = 0.8 x 6.0 x 3.0 x 22
Q roof = 316.80 Watts

Fifth calculate the heat loss by ventilation ( as in example 7)

Q = N . V . Sp.ht. . dt
Q = 2.0 x 6.0 x 3.0 x 2.5 x 0.34 ( 20 - - 2)
Q = 2.0 x 45 x 22
Q = 673.2 Watts

Finally calculate the total heat loss

Q total = heat loss window + heat loss blockwork + heat loss floor + heat loss roof + ventilation heat loss

Q total = 123.20 + 299.88 + 277.20 + 316.80 + 673.2

Q total = 1690.28 Watts

It can be seen from the above calculations that the ventilation heat loss accounts for:

( 673.2 / 1690.28) x 100 = 40% of the total heat loss for the building.

It is therefore important to establish an accurate figure for the air change rate and
to minimise unnecessary infiltration and exfiltration in buildings.

Example 9

Calculate the total heat loss from the building shown below.
 Workshop

DATA:
Building dimensions : 15.0 metres long x 7.0 metres wide x 5.0 metres high to eaves.
Roof ridge height is 7.5 metres.
The four identical window sizes are 1.8 m long x 0.6 m high.
The air change rate due to mechanical and natural ventilation is 3 air changes per hour.

Note: The design internal temperature for the building in this example is 200C.

For a Workshop environment a temperature as low as 16oC is often satisfactory.

 The building volume may be calculated from:
V = ( L x W x H to eaves ) + ( 0.5 x W x perpendicular
height from eaves to ridge x L )
V = ( 15 x 7 x 5 ) + ( 0.5 x 7 x 2.5 x
15 )
V = 525 + 131.25 = 656.25 m3.

Q = ‘U’ . A . dt

1.Calculate the heat loss through the windows:

Total window area = 4 (1.8 x 0.6
2
) = 4.32 m .
Q windows = 2.8 x 4.32 x ( 20 - - 2 )
Q window = 266.1 Watts

2. Calculate the heat loss through the blockwork.

Total blockwork area = ((15.0 x 5.0 ) - 4.32 ) + (15.0 x 5.0 ) + ( 2 ( 7.0 x 5.0 )) + ( 2 ( 3.5 x 2.5 ))
Total blockwork area = ( 75 - 4.32 ) + ( 75 ) + ( 70 ) + ( 17.5 )
Total blockwork area = ( 75 - 4.32 ) + ( 75 ) + ( 70 ) + ( 17.5 )
Total blockwork area = 233.18 m2
Q blockwork = 0.317 x 233.18 x ( 20 - - 2 )
Q blockwork = 1626.2 Watts

3. Calculate the heat loss through the floor.

Q floor = 0.45 x 15.0 x 7.0 x 22
Q floor = 1039.5 Watts

4. Calculate the heat loss through the pitched roof.

Roof area = 2 x building length x rafter length
Rafter length h = ( 2.5 2 + 3.5 2 ) 1/ 2 = 4.30 metres
Therefore, Roof area = 2 x 15.0 x 4.30 = 129.0 m2
Q roof = ‘U’ . A . dt
Q roof = 0.4 x 129.0 x 22
Q roof = 1135.2 Watts
5. Calculate the heat loss by ventilation.
Q = N . V . Sp.ht. . dt
Q = 3.0 x 656.25 x 0.34 ( 20 - - 2)
Q = 14,726.3 Watts

Finally calculate the total heat loss

Q total = heat loss window + heat loss blockwork + heat loss floor + heat loss roof + ventilation heat loss

Q total = 266.1 + 1626.2 + 1039.5 + 1135.2 + 14,726.3

Q total = 18,793.3 Watts

Heat Loss Calculation sheets help to tabularise the data.

It can be seen from the above calculations that the ventilation heat loss accounts for:
( 14,726.3 / 18,793.3) x 100 = 78% of the total heat loss for the building.

If the mechanical ventilation is not continuous then this air change rate of 3 AC/h may be reduced, thus
saving on heating equipment sizes.
Heat Loss Comparison

A useful comparison for heat losses is to calculate the heat loss per m3 air volume.

In the previous example this is:

18,793.3 / 656.25 = 28.6 W/m3 .

Some typical approximate values of heat loss per m3 for buildings are shown below:

Heat Loss
Room
W/m3

Modern passive house 1.0 to 2.5

Modern low energy building 3 to 10

Modern house 8 to 20

10 year old House 20 to 30

20 year old House 30 to 40

House with no cavity wall insulation and

40 to 50
double glazing

House with no cavity wall insulation and

50 to 60
single glazing