Colorado Clean Energy Systems, LLC
(970) 901-8757
"Fighting Global Warming One House at a  Time"
Home
 High Efficiency Heating Design Services Solar Hot Water Systems
 The ST Series Bulk
Solar Heat Storage Tank
 		CCE Solar Thermal Pump Stations
 Sale Items! System Portfolio
The following data can come in handy for working through hydronic and solar designs:

Power Conversion Formulas:

Multiply Watts by 3.412 to get BTU/hr
Multiply HP by 745.7 to get Watts
1 kWhr/m2 = 86.4 Langleys (cal/cm2) 1 BTU/ft2 = 0.0032 kWhr/m2 5. Heat Capacity of Air (BTUs) = 0.0182 BTU/Ft3-Degree F)
1 kWhr = 3413 BTU = 860 food calories 1 BTU = 252 cal = 0.0003 kWhr 1 kW = 3600 kJ
1 therm = 100,000 BTU = 29.3 kWh 1 therm of natural gas = 11.6 lbs carbon released into atmosphere 1 kWh = 3414 BTU
1 watt = 3.413 BTU/hr 1Watt = 1 Joule/Sec 1 horsepower = 745.7 watts



Energy Conversion Formulas



Multiply Therms by 100,000 to get BTU s
Multiply Therms by 29.3 to get kWh
Multiply kWh By 3,414 to get BTU s
Multiply kWh by 3,600,000 to get Joules
Multiply BTU by 1055 to get Joules



Solar Insolation Conversions

Multiply kWh/m2 by 317 to get BTU/ft2
Multiply kWh/m2 by 3.6 to get MJ/m2
Multiply MJ/m2 by 88.04 to get BTU/ft2




Weights and Measures

1 Kg = 2.2 Lb 1 Lb = 0.4536 Kg
C = 5/9(F-32) F= 9/5 C +32
1 in. = 0.0254 meters 1 meter = 3.281 Ft
1 ft = 0.3048 meters 1 meter = 3.28 Ft 1 m3 = 264.2 gall
1 ft2 = 0.929 m2 1m2 = 10.76 ft2 1ft3 = 1728 cu in
1 ft3 = 0.0283 cu meters = 7.5 gall 1m3= 35.315 cu ft = 1.308 yd3
1 Gall H2O = 8.34 lbs

1 Gall = 3.7854 Liters 1 Liter = 0.2642 G 1 Gall = 230.4 cu in



Energy Equivalents

1 ton of coal = 7500 kWh 1 gallon of oil = 132,000 BTU
1 gallon of gasoline = 37 kWh 1 gallon of gasoline =125,000 BTUs 1 gallon of gasoline = 500 hours human work (62 days)
1 cubic foot of natural gas = 1000 BTU = 0.3 kWh 1 barrel of crude oil = 1700 kWh 1 ton uranium ore = 164 million kWh
MBH = 1000 BTU/hr 1 therm of natural gas = 11.6 lbs carbon released into atmosphere 100,000 BTU from Natural Gas releases 11.6 lbs carbon



Material Properties: Specific Heat (BTU/lb-F) Thermal Conductivity (BTUh/ft2-F-ft)
Water 1.000 0.348

Definitions:

Langley = heat needed to raise 1gram H2O 1 deg C Langley Units: gram-calorie/cm2 1 Langley = 0.2711 BTU/ft2
KiloCalorie - heat required to raise i KG (1L) water from 16.5 to 17.5 degrees C. 1 BTU raises 1 lb water by 1 degree F; approximately equiv. to energy in one wooden match. 8.34 BTU raises 1 gall water by 1 degree F
1 BTU = 252 calories H2O heat of fusion =80kCal/Kg or 36.4 kCal/Lb or 144.5 BTU/lb 1 Cal = 0.00397 BTU
Overall Coefficient of Heat Transfer U = BTU/hr-ft2-F U= 1/R H2O Heat of Vaporization = 970 BTU/Lb or 539 cal/gm
Langley = gram-calorie/cm2 or amt heat to raise 1 g h20 by 1 degree C 1 Langley = 0.2711 BTU/ft2
Conductivity, k = Heat transfer through 1” of material with a 1 deg F difference Conductance, C = Heat transfer through a given thickness of material with a 1 deg F difference. C=k/X where X = thickness of material (ft). Also, R=1/C or R=X/k, or (since U= 1/R), U=k/X
R Value = thickness of material (in inches) / k Heat Loss (in BTU’s/hr) = Area (in ft2) / {R * Delta T} (in deg F)




Hydronics:

head (feet) / 2.31 = psi (water) 2.31 ft. head = 1 psi
psi x 2.31 = head (feet) head (feet) x 0.433 = psi (note: 0.433 x 2.31 = 1)
Specific Gravity – 50% propylene glycol mixture 1.04



Hydronics Rules of Thumb: (note: You can also ask the plumbing supplier’s heat expert!)
Heat Delivery Flow Rate (water) F (gpm) =Boiler Rated Output 10,000 Glycol will increase flow requirement somewhat
Pump Head Requirement 1. Measure longest run in ft. 2. Add 50% to that figure 3. Multiply by .04 4. Result is pump head rqmt.
Max Flow Rate/Heat Carrying Capacity for various CU pipe sizes 1/2” - 1.5 gpm, 15K BTU 3/4” - 4 gpm, 40K BTU 1” - 8 gpm, 80K BTU 1.25” - 14 gpm, 140K BTU



Copper: Gallons per Linear Foot (type”M”)
1/2” .013
3/4” .027
1” .045
1-1/4” .068
1-1/2” .095
95%Tin 5% Antimony melting point – 452 to 464 deg F. ASTM Alloy SB-5
50%Tin 50% Lead melting point – 361 to 421 deg F. ASTM Alloy SN-50
(95/5 Tin/copper melting point –440-500degF ASTM Alloy E
Tin/Antimony/Silver/Copper/ Nickel melting point –460-630degF. ASTM Alloy HB



PEX: Gallons per 100 Linear Ft Uponor HePex
3/8” nominal 0.50
1/2” 0.01 (0.0098)
5/8” 0.02
3/4” 0.03
1” 0.04
1.25” 0.05 estimated
1.5” 0.07 estimated



Propylene Glycol ( deg F): Freeze Protection Volume % Burst Protection Volume %
0 36 24
-10 42 28
-20 46 30
-30 50 33
-40 54 35
The above from DOWFROST HD

                     Solar Energy and Radiant Heating Links:
Solar Energy International- Renewables Training
 DOE Energy Savers - Radiant Heating
Colorado Governor's Energy Office
 Solar Tax Credits and Rebates
Sunward - Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems
               CCE Home
                           Contact Info:
                         (970) 901-8757
                   ccenergy@montrose.net
         62847 Ohlm Rd., Montrose, CO 81403