Thermal Mass Calculator

Formula

To calculate the Thermal Mass (\(TM\)):

\[ TM = \frac{AE \times HC}{TFA} \]

Where:

\(TM\) is the Thermal Mass (J/m²-K)
\(AE\) is the Sum of the Area of All Elements (m²)
\(HC\) is the Heat Capacity (J/kg-K)
\(TFA\) is the Total Floor Area (m²)

What is Thermal Mass?

Thermal mass refers to the ability of a material to absorb and store heat energy. In building construction, materials with high thermal mass can absorb and store heat from the sun during the day and release it during the night, helping to moderate indoor temperatures. This property is crucial for passive solar building designs, as it helps to reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling, leading to energy savings and increased comfort.

Example Calculation 1

Let's assume the following values:

Sum of the Area of All Elements (\(AE\)) = 200 m²
Heat Capacity (\(HC\)) = 1000 J/kg-K
Total Floor Area (\(TFA\)) = 150 m²

Using the formula:

\[ TM = \frac{200 \times 1000}{150} = \frac{200000}{150} \approx 1333.33 \]

The Thermal Mass is approximately 1333.33 J/m²-K.

Example Calculation 2

Let's assume the following values:

Sum of the Area of All Elements (\(AE\)) = 300 m²
Heat Capacity (\(HC\)) = 800 J/kg-K
Total Floor Area (\(TFA\)) = 250 m²

Using the formula:

\[ TM = \frac{300 \times 800}{250} = \frac{240000}{250} = 960 \]

The Thermal Mass is 960 J/m²-K.