Heat Calculator

Enter the specifics of your heat source below and the calculator will quantify how much heat you have available. 

About the inputs

The medium
This is the form that the heat is contained within. Different fluid media (e.g. exhaust gas, water, steam, air) hold different amounts of heat for each pound of the medium. The most common form of large quantities of heat available for use is in exhaust gas.

Inlet temperature
This is the current temperature of the heat medium at the point where it can be utilized. We call it inlet temperature because it represents the temperature at the point it goes 'in' to the heat-utilizing system. Generally, higher temperatures mean more heat and more options for what you can do with the heat. This temperature can typically be found on a specification sheet or engineering designs for the heat source in mind.

Outlet temperature
As heat is pulled out of the medium for use, the temperature of the system decreases. The outlet temperature represents the temperature that the medium can be cooled to.  For exhaust gas sources, most manufacturers assume 180C (356F), but exhaust temperatures can be reduced to as much as 150C (302F) if the exhaust is clean. For water and air, the outlet temperature typically matches with the temperature of air or water that you want to use. For steam, we've taken care of the assumptions for you.

Flow rate
The flow rate of the fluid is the last factor is calculating heat. This represents the quantity - in terms of volume or mass flow - of the medium. Flow rates can often be found on the specification sheet or engineering designs for the heat source in mind.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I find information about my heat source?

What if I do not know these measurements?