1. What is Heating Load Calculation?

Heating load calculation determines the amount of heat energy required to maintain comfortable temperatures in a building. It's measured in BTU/h (British Thermal Units per hour) and considers factors like building size, insulation, climate, and more.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses a simplified model based on:

Where:

• Area — Square footage of the space to be heated
• Base Factor — BTU per sq ft based on insulation quality (20-50 BTU/sq ft)
• Climate Multiplier — Adjustment for local climate conditions (0.8-1.5)
• Window Multiplier — Adjustment for window efficiency (0.9-1.2)

Note: Professional heating load calculations use more detailed methods (Manual J in the US).

3. Importance of Accurate Heating Load Calculation

Details: Proper sizing of heating equipment is crucial for energy efficiency, comfort, and system longevity. Oversized systems short-cycle, while undersized systems can't maintain temperature.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: For best results, measure your space accurately and assess insulation quality honestly. The calculator provides an estimate - professional assessment is recommended for system sizing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between heating load and heat loss?
A: Heating load includes heat loss through the building envelope plus ventilation requirements.

Q2: Why is BTU/h used instead of kW?
A: BTU/h is traditional in US HVAC. 1 kW = 3412 BTU/h.

Q3: How accurate is this calculator?
A: It provides a rough estimate. Professional Manual J calculations consider 30+ factors.

Q4: Should I add a safety factor?
A: Professional calculations already include appropriate factors. Adding more leads to oversizing.

Q5: What about cooling load?
A: Cooling load calculations are different and often higher due to solar gain and internal loads.