1. What is a Garage Heating Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the heating requirements (in BTU/h) for a garage based on its area, BTU per square foot, and a garage-specific factor.

Purpose: It helps homeowners and contractors determine the appropriate heating capacity needed for garage spaces.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Heating requirement (BTU/h)
• \( A \) — Garage area (square feet)
• \( \text{BTU/ft}^2 \) — Heating requirement per square foot (BTU/h·ft²)
• \( F_g \) — Garage factor (accounts for insulation, climate, etc.)

Explanation: The garage area is multiplied by the base heating requirement and adjusted by the garage factor to account for specific conditions.

3. Importance of Proper Garage Heating Calculation

Details: Accurate heating calculations ensure comfortable temperatures, energy efficiency, and proper equipment sizing.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the garage area in square feet, BTU per square foot (default 30 BTU/h·ft²), and garage factor (default 1.2). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical BTU/ft² value for garages?
A: Most garages require 20-40 BTU/h per square foot, with 30 BTU/h·ft² being a common baseline.

Q2: How do I determine the garage factor?
A: Use 1.0 for well-insulated garages, 1.2 for average insulation, and 1.5+ for poorly insulated or very cold climates.

Q3: Does this include heat loss from garage doors?
A: The garage factor should account for door insulation. Add 0.1-0.3 to the factor for uninsulated doors.

Q4: How do I convert BTU/h to other units?
A: 1 BTU/h ≈ 0.293 watts. For kW, divide BTU/h by 3412.

Q5: Should I round up the calculated value?
A: Yes, it's recommended to round up to the nearest heater size available.