U-value: Difference between revisions
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[[File:218px-Polyisocyanurate_insulation_boards.jpg|400px|framed|right|Figure 1. Certain materials will have a higher R-value, thus corresponding to a lower U-value. Polyisocyanurate insulation is one material with a relatively low U-value.<ref>"Polyisocyanurate insulation boards" Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polyisocyanurate_insulation_boards.jpg#/media/File:Polyisocyanurate_insulation_boards.jpg</ref>]] | [[File:218px-Polyisocyanurate_insulation_boards.jpg|400px|framed|right|Figure 1. Certain materials will have a higher R-value, thus corresponding to a lower U-value. Polyisocyanurate insulation is one material with a relatively low U-value.<ref>"Polyisocyanurate insulation boards" Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polyisocyanurate_insulation_boards.jpg#/media/File:Polyisocyanurate_insulation_boards.jpg</ref>]] | ||
<onlyinclude>The '''U-value''' of [[insulation]] is a value that is used to measure how well a specific type of insulation can resist [[heat transfer|heat flow]]. The lower the U-value, the more effective the material is at preventing heat transfer.</onlyinclude><ref name="RE1">RIBA. (April 25, 2015). ''U-values'' [Online]. Available: http://www.architecture.com/RIBA/Aboutus/SustainabilityHub/Designstrategies/Earth/1-1-1-10-Uvalues(INCOMPLETE).aspx</ref> The U-value is very closely linked to the [[R-value]], as it simply represents its inverse. The U-value is also closely connected to the idea of thermal conductivity, which is a property of a material that determines how well it conducts heat. [[Window]]s, [[door]]s, and [[skylight]]s all have a specific U-value associated with how well they insulate. | <onlyinclude>The '''U-value''' of [[insulation]] is a value that is used to measure how well a specific type of insulation can resist [[heat transfer|heat flow]]. The lower the U-value, the more effective the material is at preventing heat transfer.</onlyinclude><ref name="RE1">RIBA. (April 25, 2015). ''U-values'' [Online]. Available: http://www.architecture.com/RIBA/Aboutus/SustainabilityHub/Designstrategies/Earth/1-1-1-10-Uvalues(INCOMPLETE).aspx</ref> The U-value is very closely linked to the [[R-value]], as it simply represents its inverse. The U-value is also closely connected to the idea of thermal conductivity, which is a property of a material that determines how well it conducts heat. [[Window]]s, [[door]]s, and [[skylight]]s all have a specific U-value associated with how well they insulate. | ||
U-values are used more frequently to determine the insulation properties of windows specifically. A U-value is typically a low number as it represents how much heat energy is lost or gained by the window, and thus a low U-value would be more desirable.<ref name="RE2">Norbord North America. (April 25, 2015). ''Understanding R-value and U-value'' [Online]. Available: http://www.norbord.com/na/blog/understanding-r-value-and-u-value</ref> As well, U-values are typically used in systems where multiple materials are used, such as in windows whereas R-values are used to determine the insulating capabilities of only one material.<ref name="RE2"/> | U-values are used more frequently to determine the insulation properties of windows specifically. A U-value is typically a low number as it represents how much heat energy is lost or gained by the window, and thus a low U-value would be more desirable.<ref name="RE2">Norbord North America. (April 25, 2015). ''Understanding R-value and U-value'' [Online]. Available: http://www.norbord.com/na/blog/understanding-r-value-and-u-value</ref> As well, U-values are typically used in systems where multiple materials are used, such as in windows whereas R-values are used to determine the insulating capabilities of only one material.<ref name="RE2"/> In regions where homes need more heating than cooling, it's clear that low U-factors are important, but they are also beneficial in regions where homes need to be cooled. Regardless of the hot or cold, windows with better insulating properties can resist heat flow more efficiently.<ref>Energy Efficient Windows. (April 25, 2015). ''Measuring Performance: U-Factor'' [Online]. Available: http://www.efficientwindows.org/ufactor.php</ref> | ||
==Calculating U-value== | ==Calculating U-value== | ||
When calculating U-value, it is important to know the thickness and area of each building material used so that the total U-value of an assembly can be accurately determined.<ref name ="RE1"/> | When calculating U-value, it is important to know the thickness and area of each building material used so that the total U-value of an assembly can be accurately determined.<ref name ="RE1"/> | ||
Mathematically, U-value is | Mathematically, U-value is calculated by measuring heat flow across a surface where each side is at a particular temperature.<ref name='CIMA'>CIMA. (April 25, 2015). ''What R-Value Means'' [Online]. Available: http://www.cellulose.org/HomeOwners/WhatR-valueMean.php</ref> If the R-value is known, simply calculate the inverse of the R-value to obtain the U-value.<ref name="RE1"/> However, if it is not known the U-value can be calculated as: | ||
<center>< | <center><math> U-Value = \frac{Heat Loss}{\Delta T \times Area \times Time} </math></center> | ||
*< | *<math> \Delta T </math> is the [[temperature]] difference inside and outside the house in °F | ||
*< | *<math> Area </math> is the area of the wall (or ceiling) that's being insulated in ft <sup>2</sup> | ||
*< | *<math> Time </math> is how long the measurement took place in seconds | ||
*< | *<math> Heat Loss</math> is how much heat is lost through the wall or window in [[BTU]] | ||
== For Further Reading == | |||
For further information please see the related pages below: | |||
*[[Thermal conduction]] | |||
*[[Fenestration]] ([[window]]s, [[door]s and [[skylight]]s) | |||
*[[Energy loss]] | |||
*[[R-value]] | |||
*Or explore a [[Special:Random|random page]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Uploaded]] | [[Category:Uploaded]] | ||
Revision as of 22:00, 18 May 2018
Figure 1. Certain materials will have a higher R-value, thus corresponding to a lower U-value. Polyisocyanurate insulation is one material with a relatively low U-value.[1]
The U-value of insulation is a value that is used to measure how well a specific type of insulation can resist heat flow. The lower the U-value, the more effective the material is at preventing heat transfer.[2] The U-value is very closely linked to the R-value, as it simply represents its inverse. The U-value is also closely connected to the idea of thermal conductivity, which is a property of a material that determines how well it conducts heat. Windows, doors, and skylights all have a specific U-value associated with how well they insulate.
U-values are used more frequently to determine the insulation properties of windows specifically. A U-value is typically a low number as it represents how much heat energy is lost or gained by the window, and thus a low U-value would be more desirable.[3] As well, U-values are typically used in systems where multiple materials are used, such as in windows whereas R-values are used to determine the insulating capabilities of only one material.[3] In regions where homes need more heating than cooling, it's clear that low U-factors are important, but they are also beneficial in regions where homes need to be cooled. Regardless of the hot or cold, windows with better insulating properties can resist heat flow more efficiently.[4]
Calculating U-value
When calculating U-value, it is important to know the thickness and area of each building material used so that the total U-value of an assembly can be accurately determined.[2]
Mathematically, U-value is calculated by measuring heat flow across a surface where each side is at a particular temperature.[5] If the R-value is known, simply calculate the inverse of the R-value to obtain the U-value.[2] However, if it is not known the U-value can be calculated as:
- is the temperature difference inside and outside the house in °F
- is the area of the wall (or ceiling) that's being insulated in ft 2
- is how long the measurement took place in seconds
- is how much heat is lost through the wall or window in BTU
For Further Reading
For further information please see the related pages below:
- Thermal conduction
- Fenestration (windows, [[door]s and skylights)
- Energy loss
- R-value
- Or explore a random page
References
- ↑ "Polyisocyanurate insulation boards" Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polyisocyanurate_insulation_boards.jpg#/media/File:Polyisocyanurate_insulation_boards.jpg
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 RIBA. (April 25, 2015). U-values [Online]. Available: http://www.architecture.com/RIBA/Aboutus/SustainabilityHub/Designstrategies/Earth/1-1-1-10-Uvalues(INCOMPLETE).aspx
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Norbord North America. (April 25, 2015). Understanding R-value and U-value [Online]. Available: http://www.norbord.com/na/blog/understanding-r-value-and-u-value
- ↑ Energy Efficient Windows. (April 25, 2015). Measuring Performance: U-Factor [Online]. Available: http://www.efficientwindows.org/ufactor.php
- ↑ CIMA. (April 25, 2015). What R-Value Means [Online]. Available: http://www.cellulose.org/HomeOwners/WhatR-valueMean.php
