1. What is a Heating Requirement Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the heating capacity needed for a house based on its area, BTU requirements per square foot, and a heating factor.

Purpose: It helps homeowners, HVAC professionals, and builders determine the appropriate heating system size for residential properties.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Heating requirement (BTU/hour)
• \( A \) — House area (square feet)
• \( BTU/ft^2 \) — Heating requirement per square foot (BTU/hour·ft²)
• \( F_h \) — Heating factor (adjusts for insulation and climate)

Explanation: The base heating requirement is calculated by multiplying area by BTU per square foot, then adjusted by the heating factor.

3. Importance of Proper Heating Calculation

Details: Accurate heating requirement estimation ensures comfort, energy efficiency, and prevents oversizing or undersizing of heating systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the house area in square feet, BTU per square foot (default 20 BTU/h·ft²), and heating factor (default 1.0). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical BTU per square foot value?
A: Most homes require 20-30 BTU per square foot, but this varies by climate zone.

Q2: When would I change the heating factor?
A: Adjust for insulation quality (0.8 for well-insulated, 1.2 for poorly insulated) or extreme climates (1.5 for very cold areas).

Q3: Does this include heat loss calculations?
A: The heating factor approximates heat loss, but for precise calculations, consider a professional heat loss analysis.

Q4: How do I convert BTU/h to other units?
A: 1 BTU/h ≈ 0.293 watts. For furnace sizing, 1 ton of heating capacity = 12,000 BTU/h.

Q5: Should I round up the calculated value?
A: Yes, heating systems typically come in standard sizes, so round up to the nearest available capacity.