1. What is a Garage Heating Load Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the heating requirement (in BTUs per hour) for a garage based on its area, heat loss per square foot, and garage-specific factors.

Purpose: It helps homeowners and HVAC professionals determine the appropriate heating system size for garages.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Heating load (BTU/h)
• \( A \) — Garage area (square feet)
• \( BTU/ft² \) — Heat loss per square foot (BTU/h·ft²)
• \( F_g \) — Garage factor (typically 1.4 for attached garages)

Explanation: The area is multiplied by the heat loss rate and then adjusted for garage-specific conditions.

3. Importance of Proper Heating Load Calculation

Details: Accurate calculations ensure efficient heating, prevent system over-sizing (which wastes energy), and under-sizing (which leads to inadequate heating).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the garage area in square feet, heat loss rate (default 30 BTU/h·ft²), and garage factor (default 1.4). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical BTU/ft² value for garages?
A: Most garages use 20-40 BTU/h·ft² depending on insulation and climate.

Q2: How does the garage factor (F_g) work?
A: This accounts for greater heat loss in garages (typically 1.4 for attached, 1.6-2.0 for detached).

Q3: Should I adjust for ceiling height?
A: The default values assume 8-9 ft ceilings. For higher ceilings, increase BTU/ft² accordingly.

Q4: What about garage door insulation?
A: Poorly insulated doors may require increasing the BTU/ft² value by 10-20%.

Q5: Does this include ventilation requirements?
A: No, additional BTUs may be needed if mechanical ventilation is required.