1. What is kW Required to Heat Room Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the kilowatts (kW) of heating power needed to raise the temperature of a room by a specified amount.

Purpose: It helps HVAC professionals, engineers, and homeowners determine appropriate heating system capacity for a given space.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( kW \) — Kilowatts of heating power required
• \( Volume \) — Room volume in cubic meters
• \( \Delta T \) — Temperature difference desired (°C)
• \( SHC_{air} \) — Specific heat capacity of air (1.005 kJ/m³·°C at standard conditions)
• 3600 — Conversion factor from kJ to kWh

Explanation: The formula calculates the energy needed to heat the entire air volume in the room by the specified temperature difference.

3. Importance of kW Calculation

Details: Proper heating capacity estimation ensures comfortable temperatures, energy efficiency, and prevents undersized or oversized heating systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the room volume in cubic meters, desired temperature increase in °C, and specific heat capacity of air (default 1.005 kJ/m³·°C). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I calculate room volume?
A: Multiply length × width × height of the room in meters. For irregular shapes, divide into regular sections and sum their volumes.

Q2: What's a typical ΔT for room heating?
A: Common ΔT values range from 15-25°C depending on climate and desired comfort level.

Q3: Why is SHC_air important?
A: It represents how much energy is needed to raise air temperature. It varies slightly with humidity and altitude.

Q4: Does this include heat loss through walls/windows?
A: No, this is just for heating the air. For complete heating load, add calculations for conduction, infiltration, and ventilation losses.

Q5: How does this relate to BTU/h calculations?
A: 1 kW = 3412 BTU/h. Multiply kW result by 3412 to get BTU/h equivalent.