Calculate the energy required to change an object's temperature without changing its phase.
Input Parameters
Calculation Results
Enter parameters to calculate heat
About this calculator
Quick Reference
QSensible heat
mMass of the substance
CpSpecific heat capacity
ΔTChange in temperature
CFMCubic Feet per Minute (Air flow)
Overview
Sensible heat is the energy exchanged by a thermodynamic system that changes the temperature of the system without changing its phase (such as melting or boiling). It is 'sensible' because it can be sensed as a temperature change.
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Pro Tips
In HVAC, sensible heat refers to the heat that changes the temperature of the air but not its moisture content.
The constant 1.08 in the HVAC formula is derived from air density and specific heat at sea level.
Specific heat capacity varies by material; for example, water has a very high specific heat (4.186 J/g·°C).
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Fun Facts
"One calorie is defined as the amount of sensible heat required to raise 1 gram of water by 1 degree Celsius."
"Deserts have extreme temperature changes between day and night because sand and rocks have low specific heat and there is no water to store heat."
"The massive amount of sensible heat stored in the Earth's oceans is what drives global weather patterns."
