Heating Time Formula:
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Definition: This calculator estimates the time required to heat a room based on the mass of air, specific heat capacity, desired temperature change, and heater power.
Purpose: It helps homeowners and HVAC professionals determine how long it will take to reach a comfortable temperature in a space.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the energy required to heat the air and divides it by the heater's power output to determine time.
Details: Proper heating time estimation helps in energy planning, system sizing, and comfort management.
Tips: Enter the mass of air in kg, specific heat capacity (default 1005 J/kg·K for dry air), temperature change in Kelvin, and heater power in Watts. All values must be > 0.
Q1: How do I find the mass of air in my room?
A: Multiply room volume by air density (1.225 kg/m³ at sea level, 15°C).
Q2: What's the specific heat capacity of humid air?
A: It's slightly higher than dry air - use about 1012 J/kg·K for typical indoor humidity.
Q3: Does this account for heat loss?
A: No, this is an ideal calculation. Actual times will be longer due to heat loss through walls/windows.
Q4: How do I convert the result to hours?
A: Divide the seconds result by 3600 to get hours.
Q5: What's a typical heater power for a bedroom?
A: Small rooms typically use 1000-1500W heaters, while larger spaces may need 2000-3000W.