Calculation sequence
Step-by-step method
- Confirm sensible and total capacity share the same boundary and operating point.
- Divide sensible capacity by total capacity.
- Subtract sensible from total for latent capacity.
MechanicalBeginnerEquipment
Cooling-Coil Sensible Heat-Ratio Calculator
Calculate sensible heat ratio from sensible and total cooling capacity.
Why it matters: SHR describes the balance between temperature reduction and dehumidification.
Calculated result
Engineering evaluation
Cooling-coil sensible heat ratio (SHR)0.8 ratio
- Sensible capacity (Qs)
- 80,000 Btu/h
- Total capacity (Qt)
- 100,000 Btu/h
- Calculated latent capacity (Ql)
- 20,000 Btu/h
Engineering interpretation
The entered capacities produce SHR 0.8 and latent capacity 20000 Btu/h.
Important limitations
- A result outside 0 to 1 indicates inconsistent inputs or uncertainty. Confirm airflow, psychrometrics, water-side capacity, fan heat, and measurement boundaries.
Engineering knowledge center
Understand the calculation—not just the answer
Governing relationships
SHR = Qs/Qt
Ql = Qt−Qs
Current substitution
SHR = 80000/100000 = 0.8; Ql = 100000−80000 = 20000.
Equation legend
Inputs and calculated quantities
- Qs
- Sensible cooling capacity — Btu/h or kW
- Qt
- Total cooling capacity — Btu/h or kW
- SHR
- Cooling-coil sensible heat ratio — ratio
- Qs
- Sensible capacity — Btu/h
- Qt
- Total capacity — Btu/h
- Ql
- Calculated latent capacity — Btu/h
Applications
How this calculation is used
Building design
Screen coil sensible and latent performance.
Construction
Compare scheduled capacities with equipment data.
Commissioning
Calculate field SHR from consistent sensible and total capacity estimates.
Quality controls
Assumptions and limitations
Assumptions
- Entered values represent one stable operating condition and use consistent measurement boundaries.
- Fluid and air properties are representative of the evaluated condition.
Limitations
- This is a preliminary evaluation and field-verification tool, not a final sizing or code-compliance determination.
- Manufacturer data, adopted codes, project criteria, and professional engineering review remain controlling.
Field use
Verification procedure
- Confirm measurement boundaries, operating mode, and instrument calibration.
- Stabilize the system and record simultaneous readings.
- Compare the calculation with project requirements and manufacturer data before disposition.
Common engineering mistakes
- Mixing values from different operating conditions.
- Using nominal rather than measured flow, temperature, power, or fluid properties.
Technical basis
References and source standards
- ASHRAE Handbook—FundamentalsPsychrometrics, heat transfer, load relationships, and HVAC calculation context; verify the licensed current edition during professional review.
Engineering calculation disclaimer
These engineering tools are provided for educational, preliminary evaluation, field verification, and commissioning support. Results depend on the accuracy of user-entered information and the assumptions stated for each calculation. Every colored status and comparison is a screening indicator only; project criteria, contract requirements, applicable codes, manufacturer instructions, measurement uncertainty, and authorized engineering judgment govern. The tools do not replace project-specific engineering analysis or the judgment of a licensed professional engineer.
Read the full use and limitation statement