Most homes, in this regard, are either Average or Very Sunny. Therefore, consider the map below. The deeper the color, the more sunny the climate. In Minnesota, a home with no shade would still only be Average for sun exposure, for example. Make your choice and enter data for each box, and let the heating BTU calculator do the work. Here is an example how to use the above calculator:. Let's say you have a 2, sq ft two-story home in Chicago.
Your house was built in with a "good insulation". This chart begins small — space heater size, not furnace size — and progresses to homes in the average to large size category. You can use it to answer the common questions like:. At some point, depending on the climate, you have to begin to think about more than one heating device - furnace, boiler, heat pump, etc.
You can still use this chart for very large homes by considering the size of the zones in your home. For example, if the bedroom and office area zone is 1, square feet and the living areas and kitchen are 2, square feet, add together the recommended BTUs for each. If you already bought a specific size space heater or furnace and want to know the square footage it can heat, here are the quick answers:. For example, a 30, BTU space heater will heat 1, square feet in Florida, which is in hot climate.
You can only heat sq ft if you are living in cold climate. For most areas, 40, BTU will heat square feet. But if you live in very south, it can heat more than 1, sq ft. A BTU is a measurement of heat — specifically, the heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water 1 degree Fahrenheit. The full name is British thermal unit.
It is an exact measurement that can be applied to most heating equipment. Did you Know? Our BTU calculator is the best there is for fireplaces, stoves and inserts. Another point worth mentioning. Maybe it gets that cold only once or twice a year. Perhaps, only once every five years.
These variables are the main reason that manufacturers make equipment that is versatile and easy to use. For instance, adjustable gas valves and remote controls for fireplaces, inserts and stoves. Less gas means less heat. So, click on our calculator above and see what the needs are for your home. Where do You Live?
Choose between Metric or Imperial Measures? If a furnace or air conditioner is sized too small it will run constantly and not be able to comfortably heat or cool the space. On the coldest or hottest days the system will not be able to keep up.
Alternatively, if the system is sized too large then it will heat or cool the space too quickly, which will cause it to cycle on and off more frequently, causing unnecessary wear and shortening the lifespan of the system. According to the Star Tribune, the constant cycling of an oversized furnace is less comfortable as well, since certain areas of the home heat up too quickly and become too hot before the system turns off.
A home in the northern region of the US will require more BTUs to heat than a home in the southern region because it gets significantly colder. The ranges in the heating climate zone chart above assume a home with average insulation.
It may be worth adding insulation to attic spaces and walls to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat the home. It may be worth considering a more efficient furnace as less energy will be used to achieve the same heat output.
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