Center for the Built Environment

THERM 2.0 is a software program, available for free, that uses the finite-element method to model steady-state, two dimensional heat-transfer effects. It is being used internationally in graduate and undergraduate laboratories and classes as an interactive educational tool to help students gain a better understanding of heat transfer. THERM offers students a powerful simulation engine combined with a simple, interactive interface and graphic results. Although it was developed to model thermal properties of building components such as windows, walls, doors, roofs, and foundations, it can be used to model thermal bridges in many other contexts, such as the design of equipment. These capabilities make it a useful teaching tool in classes on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); energy conservation; building design; and other subjects where heat-transfer theory and applications are important. The program’s interface and graphic presentation allow students to see heat-transfer paths and to learn how changes in materials affect heat transfer. It is an excellent tool for helping students understand the practical application of heat-transfer theory.