1. What is a Heating Requirement Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the heating power needed for a house based on U-values, surface areas, and temperature differences.

Purpose: It helps homeowners, architects, and engineers determine appropriate heating system capacity for buildings.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Heating requirement (Watts)
• \( U \) — Heat transfer coefficient (W/m²K)
• \( A \) — Surface area (m²)
• \( \Delta T \) — Temperature difference between inside and outside (Kelvin)

Explanation: The formula calculates heat loss through building elements by multiplying the U-value by the surface area and temperature difference.

3. Importance of Heating Calculation

Details: Proper heating requirement estimation ensures energy efficiency, comfort, and correct sizing of heating systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the U-value (thermal transmittance), surface area of the element, and temperature difference between inside and outside.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical U-value for walls?
A: Modern insulated walls typically have U-values between 0.1-0.3 W/m²K, while older walls may be 1.0-1.5 W/m²K.

Q2: How do I determine ΔT?
A: Subtract the lowest expected outside temperature from your desired indoor temperature (e.g., 20°C inside - (-5°C) outside = 25K ΔT).

Q3: Should I calculate for each building element separately?
A: Yes, for accuracy calculate walls, windows, roof, and floor separately then sum the results.

Q4: Does this include ventilation heat loss?
A: No, this only calculates transmission losses. Add 10-20% for ventilation losses or use more detailed calculations.

Q5: How do I convert the result to BTU/h?
A: Multiply Watts by 3.412 to get BTU/h (British Thermal Units per hour).