Heating Cost Calculator by Square Footage

Heating Cost Formula:

\[ \text{Cost} = \frac{\text{Square Footage} \times \text{BTUs per Square Foot} \times \text{Hours} \times \text{Price per BTU}}{\text{Efficiency}} \]

Square Footage:

sq ft

BTUs per Square Foot:

BTU/sq ft

Hours of Operation:

hours

Price per BTU:

$/BTU

System Efficiency:

Heating Cost ($):

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1. What is a Heating Cost Calculator by Square Footage?

Definition: This calculator estimates the cost of heating a space based on its square footage, energy requirements, and fuel costs.

Purpose: It helps homeowners and businesses estimate heating expenses for budgeting and energy efficiency planning.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ \text{Cost} = \frac{\text{Square Footage} \times \text{BTUs per Square Foot} \times \text{Hours} \times \text{Price per BTU}}{\text{Efficiency}} \]

Where:

Square Footage — Area to be heated (sq ft)
BTUs per Square Foot — Heating requirement (typically 20-50 BTU/sq ft)
Hours — Duration of heating operation
Price per BTU — Cost of energy ($/BTU)
Efficiency — Heating system efficiency percentage

Explanation: The formula calculates total BTU requirements, converts to cost, and adjusts for system efficiency.

3. Importance of Heating Cost Calculation

Details: Accurate heating cost estimates help with budgeting, comparing fuel options, and evaluating energy efficiency improvements.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your space's square footage, BTUs per square foot (default 30), hours of operation, energy price (default $0.00001/BTU), and system efficiency (default 80%). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I determine BTUs per square foot?
A: Typical values range from 20-50 BTU/sq ft depending on climate, insulation, and building type.

Q2: What's a typical price per BTU?
A: Natural gas is about $0.00001/BTU, electricity $0.00003/BTU, propane $0.00002/BTU.

Q3: What efficiency should I use?
A: Modern furnaces are 80-98% efficient, while older systems may be 60-70% efficient.

Q4: Does this account for temperature differences?
A: No, adjust BTUs/sq ft for your climate (higher in cold areas, lower in mild climates).

Q5: Can I use this for different fuel types?
A: Yes, just adjust the price per BTU to match your fuel cost.