Building physics · envelope

Transmission heat loss calculator

The calculator totals steady-state heat transfer through the complete thermal envelope. Use it after component areas and U-values are known, before the full heat-load or energy calculation and before heat emitters are sized.

ISO 13789Building
01

Building envelope

Envelope components A · U · FxEach row is one thermally uniform envelope component. Areas and lengths must use the same internal or external dimensions.
Linear thermal bridges l · ψLinear thermal bridges from a detail calculation or permitted catalogue matching the dimensional convention.
02

Transmission balance

Enter envelope components and thermal bridges, then calculate.

Design step

Transmission heat loss calculator: inputs, result and limits

Which inputs are required?

For every envelope component enter heat-transfer area A, U-value, and a project-specific temperature adjustment factor Fx for adjoining unheated spaces where applicable. Enter length l and psi value for each thermal bridge from a detail calculation or applicable catalogue; add point chi values as one sum. Use one consistent internal or external dimension system throughout.

What is returned?

Results are HT in W/K, area-specific H'T, heat flow at the selected temperature difference, and the share due to linear and point thermal bridges. Individual contributions support plausibility checks.

Method and interpretation

HT = Σ(Fx·Ui·Ai) + Σ(psij·lj) + Σ(chik). Heat flow equals HT·ΔT. A factor of 1 applies to direct transfer to outside air; obtain other factors from the applicable balance method. Negative psi values are permissible with a consistent dimensional convention.

Calculator limits

A steady-state transmission balance, not a complete design heat load. Ventilation and infiltration, ground dynamics, solar and internal gains, and heat-up allowances are excluded. The calculator neither supplies a blanket bridge allowance nor selects psi values.

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Source: ISO 13789:2017 and DIN EN ISO 13789:2018-04; Lohmeyer Practical Building Physics, 10th ed., section 2.4.5, equation (2.27). Psi terminology and the consistent dimensional convention were additionally checked against the locally held DIN EN ISO 14683:2018-03.