U-Value Calculator — Calculate Thermal Transmittance

U-Value Calculator

Calculate thermal transmittance (U-Value) for building materials. Determine heat loss through walls, windows, roofs, and floors.

Step 1: Material Specifications

2.5
100

U-Value Formula

U-Value = 1 / (Rsi + R1 + R2 + … + Rse)
Where R = Thermal Resistance

Step 2: Calculation Options

Building Regulation Limits

Walls: Max 0.3 W/m²·K (UK)
Roofs: Max 0.2 W/m²·K (UK)
Windows: Max 2.0 W/m²·K (UK)
Floors: Max 0.25 W/m²·K (UK)

Thermal Transmittance Results

Summary
Material Comparison
Formula

Total U-Value (Thermal Transmittance)

0.40 W/m²·K
0.07 BTU/h·ft²·°F • R-Value: 2.5
U-Value (Metric)
0.40 W/m²·K
U-Value (Imperial)
0.07 BTU/h·ft²·°F
R-Value
2.5 m²·K/W
Heat Loss
Medium

Building Material Comparison

Material Thickness R-Value U-Value

U-Value Calculation Formula

U = 1 / (Rsi + R1 + R2 + … + Rse)

Where:
• U = Thermal transmittance (W/m²·K)
• R = Thermal resistance of each layer (m²·K/W)
• Rsi = Internal surface resistance
• Rse = External surface resistance
• R1, R2, … = Resistances of individual layers

To convert:
• Imperial U-Value = Metric U-Value × 0.1761
• R-Value = 1 / U-Value

Example Calculation

Example: Brick Wall with Insulation

Brickwork: R = 0.13 m²·K/W
Insulation: R = 2.5 m²·K/W
Plasterboard: R = 0.05 m²·K/W
Rsi = 0.13, Rse = 0.04

Calculation:
Total R = 0.13 + 2.5 + 0.05 + 0.13 + 0.04 = 2.85 m²·K/W
U-Value = 1 / 2.85 = 0.35 W/m²·K

Converted:
0.35 W/m²·K = 0.062 BTU/h·ft²·°F

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