1. What is Garage Heating Load Calculation?

Definition: This calculator estimates the heating requirements for garages based on area, BTU per square foot, and a garage-specific factor.

Purpose: It helps determine the appropriate heating capacity needed to maintain comfortable temperatures in garage spaces.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Heating load (BTU/h)
• \( A \) — Garage area (square feet)
• \( \text{BTU/ft}^2 \) — Heat requirement per square foot
• \( F_g \) — Garage factor accounting for insulation and heat loss

Explanation: The base heat requirement is multiplied by the garage factor to account for typical garage construction characteristics.

3. Importance of Proper Heating Calculation

Details: Accurate heating load calculation ensures energy efficiency, proper equipment sizing, and comfortable working conditions in the garage.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the garage area in square feet, BTU per square foot (default 20), and garage factor (default 1.5). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical BTU/ft² value for garages?
A: Most garages require 15-25 BTU/h per square foot depending on climate and insulation.

Q2: Why is there a garage factor (F_g)?
A: Garages typically have more heat loss than living spaces due to poorer insulation and frequent door openings.

Q3: When would I adjust the garage factor?
A: Use lower factors (1.2-1.3) for well-insulated garages, higher (1.7-2.0) for uninsulated or detached garages.

Q4: Does this account for extreme temperatures?
A: No, for very cold climates (-20°F or below), consider increasing the BTU/ft² value.

Q5: How do I convert this to heater size?
A: The calculated Q value directly indicates the required heater capacity in BTU/h.