Experiments were carried out to examine the effects of a single porous-type roughness element on the insulated wall opposite the smooth heated plate for the heat transfer. Local heat transfer and drag coefficient depend on the porous diameter and the porosity. Local heat transfer coefficient takes a peak P1 under the porous element in laminar flow. On the other hand, in turbulent flow, it takes two peaks P1 and P2 under and after the element, respectively. The position of the peak P2 varies with the height of the element and the Reynolds number. The drag coefficient of the porous element is lower than that of the solid element. According to thermal performance this kind of element should be used in laminar flow. It is estimated that the porous element should be utilized in the composite effects of heat transfer in order to apply the element effectively.