Which of the following is not a type of heat transfer?

Heat transfer refers to the movement of thermal energy from one object or medium to another, and it occurs primarily through three distinct mechanisms: convection, radiation, and conduction.

Convection involves the transfer of heat through fluid motion, where warmer areas of a liquid or gas rise and cooler areas sink, creating a circulation pattern. Radiation, on the other hand, is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves and does not require a medium, allowing heat to travel through the vacuum of space. Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact between materials, where energy is transmitted between particles.

Adaptation, in this context, does not fit as a mechanism of heat transfer. It relates more to an organism's adjustment to environmental changes over time rather than a process of thermal energy movement. Understanding these mechanisms helps in evaluating energy efficiency in homes and buildings, which is critical in the Home Energy Rating System.