Sensible, latent and total heat calculator

Calculate sensible heat from CFM and temperature difference, latent heat from grains, and total heat from enthalpy, with metric equivalents.

What this means

Sensible heat changes the air temperature. Latent heat is the moisture removed or added. Total heat is both. Comparing the measured total with the equipment's rated capacity at the same conditions helps check whether a system is performing, but measured airflow is often the biggest source of error.

Formula used

  • Qs (Btu/h) = 1.08 × CFM × ΔT (°F)
  • Ql (Btu/h) = 0.68 × CFM × Δgrains
  • Qt (Btu/h) = 4.5 × CFM × Δh (Btu/lb)
  • Metric: Qs (W) = 1.21 × L/s × ΔT (K); Ql (W) = 3.0 × L/s × Δw (g/kg); Qt (W) = 1.2 × L/s × Δh (kJ/kg)

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