What is the Difference Between Mean Temperature and Ambient Temperature?
Temperature is a property unto itself. It is not a measurement of the amount of heat present. For example, if you pour two cups of coffee, one to the brim, and the other only halfway, the temperature will be the same in both cups, but the partially filled cup will only contain half the heat (Btus) of the full one. Mean Temperature is the average of the sum of a hot surface temperature and a cold surface temperature. Insulation conductivity (K-Factor) is tested at a number of mean temperatures to develop conductivity curves that simulate actual service conditions under which insulation systems are sued. All conductivity figures (K,C,R) must be qualified by a mean temperature. Ambient Temperature is the average temperature of the medium, usually air, surrounding the object under consideration.
