Therm: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The term 'therm' comes from the Greek word 'thermos,' meaning heat.
• It was first used in the late 19th century as scientists started quantifying energy.
• In science, the term refers to a specific measurement equal to 100,000 British thermal units (BTUs).

Science

• One therm can heat 100 gallons of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit.
• It's mainly used in fields like meteorology and energy consumption to analyze heating systems.
• The therm is vital for understanding energy use in residential and commercial buildings.

Energy

• Natural gas is often billed using therms, making it easier for consumers to understand their energy usage.
• Utilities use therms to manage and track the supply of gas, impacting pricing and availability.
• Using therms helps consumers think about energy-saving strategies, as they relate to their heating bills.

Applications

• In HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), therm measurements are essential for efficiency.
• Cooking devices might indicate energy used in therms to help in better understanding heat requirements.
• Home energy audits often assess therm usage to suggest improvements for reducing consumption.

Cultural References

• The concept of thermodynamics, which involves heat, is crucial in physics and engineering.
• Movies and books sometimes portray futuristic societies where energy efficiency is measured in therms or similar units.
• Public awareness campaigns often focus on therms to educate people on energy conservation methods.

This word's position of #31,515 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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• 31512 unguided
• 31513 retell
• 31514 lapidary
• 31515 therm
• 31516 gouache
• 31517 avowing
• 31518 baize
• ...