How is the sensible heat ratio calculated?

The sensible heat ratio is a critical concept in HVAC that measures the proportion of sensible heat to total heat in a system, which includes both sensible heat and latent heat. The correct method to calculate this ratio is to divide the amount of sensible heat by the total heat.

Sensible heat refers to the energy required to change the temperature of a substance without changing its phase, while total heat encompasses both the sensible and latent heat, which is the energy absorbed or released during a phase change (like evaporation or condensation).

By using the formula where the sensible heat is divided by the total heat, you are able to understand the contribution of sensible heat to the overall heating or cooling process in the HVAC system. A higher sensible heat ratio indicates a greater focus on temperature control rather than moisture control, which is vital for ensuring proper comfort levels within a space.

Thus, the right answer clearly reflects the relationship between sensible heat and total heat in this context, enabling better analysis and design of HVAC systems.