EcoRenovator - View Single Post - Heat loss in watts, stored heat in joules

briligg · 03-20-12, 04:37 PM

I've gotten some conversions like this, but my confusion is about joules and watts in this context.
Here's the thing - the thermal mass as currently designed would have to shed 429,000 kJ to lower 1 C in temperature. Over the course of a model extra-harsh winter in its intended location (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada), the current design of the house would lose 21,359 kW of heat to the exterior through the walls, roof, and foundation. But what does that mean in terms of kilojoules? A watt is one joule per second. Does that mean that in this case, the two things are essentially interchangeable?

(Air exchange heat loss i calculated without problems, i could do it all in joules.)

03-20-12, 04:37 PM	#3
briligg Lurking Renovator Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Mexico Posts: 14 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I've gotten some conversions like this, but my confusion is about joules and watts in this context. Here's the thing - the thermal mass as currently designed would have to shed 429,000 kJ to lower 1 C in temperature. Over the course of a model extra-harsh winter in its intended location (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada), the current design of the house would lose 21,359 kW of heat to the exterior through the walls, roof, and foundation. But what does that mean in terms of kilojoules? A watt is one joule per second. Does that mean that in this case, the two things are essentially interchangeable? (Air exchange heat loss i calculated without problems, i could do it all in joules.) Last edited by briligg; 03-20-12 at 04:39 PM.. Reason: add relevant detail.