The concept of loss rate of available energy was introduced for evaluating heat exchanger performance. At the same time, the general expression of loss rate of available energy was obtained for heat exchangers of several typical. And NL criteria was recommended for evaluation of the loss rate of available energy of heat exchanger. Then. the influences of inlet temperatures ratio, heat capacity ratio of fluids, the number of heat transfer units and flow patterns of heat exchanger on ,VL criteria were also discussed.