Final answer:
The ground surface temperature in a basement in Chicago during winter months can vary depending on factors such as insulation, heat loss rate, and external temperature. Heat loss rates for different types of houses can range from 75 W/°C to several hundred W/°C. For example, a decently-built house with a heat loss rate of 150 W/°C will experience a heat loss of 3000 Watts when the internal temperature is 20°C and the external temperature is 0°C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ground surface temperature in degrees Celsius for the design heat loss calculations in a basement in Chicago during the winter months can vary depending on various factors such as insulation, heat loss rate, and external temperature. The heat loss rate for different types of houses can range from 75 W/°C for a snugly-built house to several hundred W/°C for a typically-constructed house with little attention to efficiency.
Example:
A decently-built house with a heat loss rate of 150 W/°C, and an internal temperature of 20°C, will experience a temperature difference (ΔT) of 20°C when the external temperature is 0°C (freezing point). Using the formula Q = ΔT × heat loss rate, the heat loss from the house would be:
Q = 20°C × 150 W/°C = 3000 W
So, the heat loss from the house under these conditions would be 3000 Watts.