Chapter 18, Problem 37A

Why is heating more efficient in large apartment buildings than in single-family dwellings?

To determine

To explain: The reason for more efficiency of heating in large apartment buildings than in single-family dwellings.

Answer to Problem 37A

A large apartment building has less surface area per dwelling unit.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The greater the surface area, the greater will be the amount of heat dissipated.

For a single-family dwelling, a small house is required which dissipates heat. But, in a large apartment house, several persons live. Heat dissipated by those persons is distributed equally in that large apartment house surface. Thus, heat dissipated per dwelling unit is less as compared to the single-unit family house. Since in single-unit dwelling, heat dissipated by all the surface area is for a single unit but not for an apartment house.

Conclusion:

Thus, the large apartment building has less surface area per dwelling unit.