Conductance of heat through concrete

In summary, the conversation discusses the process of calculating how many hours are required for one dollar's worth of energy to be conducted through a concrete basement wall in an electrically heated home. It involves using the thermal conductivity constant, change in temperature, area, and length to determine the necessary time. The attempted solution includes calculations, but some of the numbers used may be incorrect.
  • #1
slaw155
41
0

Homework Statement



In an electrically heated home, the temperature of the ground in contact with a concrete basement wall is 10.7 oC. The temperature at the inside surface of the wall is 21.4 oC. The wall is 0.17 m thick and has an area of 6.4 m2. Assume that one kilowatt hour of electrical energy costs $0.10. How many hours are required for one dollar's worth of energy to be conducted through the wall?

Homework Equations



heat = (thermal conductivity constant x change in temp x area x time)/length

The Attempt at a Solution


heat energy to be conducted = 3.6 x10^6J x 10
(1.1 x (21.4-10.1) x 6.4t)/0.17 = 443 x time
so equating these gives 3.6 x 10^7 = 443t
however this t value is much too large, where have I gone wrong?
 
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  • #2
So, you calculated how many hours, exactly?
 
  • #3
slaw155 said:

Homework Statement



In an electrically heated home, the temperature of the ground in contact with a concrete basement wall is 10.7 oC. The temperature at the inside surface of the wall is 21.4 oC. The wall is 0.17 m thick and has an area of 6.4 m2. Assume that one kilowatt hour of electrical energy costs $0.10. How many hours are required for one dollar's worth of energy to be conducted through the wall?

Homework Equations



heat = (thermal conductivity constant x change in temp x area x time)/length

right so far.

so what is the thermal conductivity constant?

The Attempt at a Solution


heat energy to be conducted = 3.6 x10^6J x 10
(1.1 x (21.4-10.1) x 6.4t)/0.17 = 443 x time
so equating these gives 3.6 x 10^7 = 443t
however this t value is much too large, where have I gone wrong?

where did the numbers "3.6e6J" and "1.1" come from? Is "10" the number of kwh? kw-h is not an SI unit.

use the thermal conductivity number and change total energy from kw-h to J.
 

1. What is the definition of conductance of heat through concrete?

The conductance of heat through concrete is the measure of how easily heat can flow through a concrete material. It is also known as thermal conductance or thermal conductivity.

2. How is the conductance of heat through concrete measured?

The conductance of heat through concrete is measured using a unit called thermal conductivity, which is expressed in watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK). This unit represents the amount of heat that can flow through a 1-meter thick slab of concrete with a temperature difference of 1 Kelvin.

3. What factors affect the conductance of heat through concrete?

The conductance of heat through concrete is affected by several factors, including the type and density of the concrete, its moisture content, and the ambient temperature and humidity. The presence of air pockets or voids within the concrete can also affect its thermal conductivity.

4. How does the conductance of heat through concrete impact building design?

The conductance of heat through concrete is an important factor to consider in building design, as it can affect the energy efficiency and thermal comfort of a structure. High thermal conductivity in concrete can lead to increased heat loss, which may result in higher energy consumption and costs for heating and cooling.

5. Can the conductance of heat through concrete be improved?

Yes, the conductance of heat through concrete can be improved through the use of insulation materials such as foam or mineral wool. Properly designed and installed insulation can significantly reduce the transfer of heat through concrete, improving the energy efficiency of a building.

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