1. What is Heating Load?

Heating load is the amount of heat energy required to maintain a desired temperature in a space. It's calculated based on the area of the space and the temperature difference between inside and outside.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the heating load equation:

Where:

• \( A \) — Area of the space (m²)
• \( T_{out} \) — Outside temperature (°C)
• \( T_{in} \) — Desired inside temperature (°C)

Explanation: The equation calculates the heat energy needed to compensate for heat loss through walls, windows, and other surfaces.

3. Importance of Heat Load Calculation

Details: Accurate heat load calculation is crucial for proper HVAC system sizing, energy efficiency, and maintaining comfortable indoor conditions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter area in square meters, temperatures in Celsius. The temperature difference (T_out - T_in) should be positive for heating scenarios.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What factors affect heating load besides area and temperature?
A: Insulation quality, air infiltration, window types, and building orientation also significantly impact heating load.

Q2: How does this differ from cooling load?
A: Cooling load considers additional factors like solar gain and internal heat sources, making it generally more complex to calculate.

Q3: What are typical heat load values?
A: Residential buildings typically range 50-150 W/m², but this varies greatly with climate and building characteristics.

Q4: When is a more detailed calculation needed?
A: For large or complex buildings, professional Manual J calculations should be performed rather than using this simplified formula.

Q5: How does insulation affect the calculation?
A: Better insulation reduces the effective heat load by lowering the U-factor (thermal transmittance) of building surfaces.