How do you calculate the flow rate of water in a heating system?

To determine the flow rate of water in a heating system, the correct formula involves understanding the relationship between heat load, temperature difference, and specific heat. The first option intuitively captures this relationship as follows:

Flow Rate is derived from the amount of heat energy that needs to be transferred, which is represented by the heat load. This heat load is divided by the product of the temperature difference (ΔT) across the heating system and the specific heat of water. The specific heat of water indicates how much energy is required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of water by one degree Celsius.

When you divide the heat load by the product of ΔT and the specific heat of water, you essentially calculate how many gallons or liters of water must flow through the system to carry away that heat energy over the specified temperature change. This ratio yields the flow rate in units such as gallons per minute (GPM) or liters per second (L/s).

This approach considers the essential variables in the heating system, ensuring accurate calculation of flow, as it directly relates to the energy transfer needed to maintain desired conditions.