1. What is Electric Heat kW Calculation?

The Electric Heat kW calculation determines the kilowatt requirement for electric heating systems based on the total heat loss of a house. This helps in sizing electric heaters appropriately for efficient home heating.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• \( kW \) — Required kilowatt rating for electric heating
• \( Total\ Heat\ Loss \) — The calculated heat loss of the house in watts

Explanation: The formula converts watts to kilowatts by dividing by 1000, since 1 kW equals 1000 watts.

3. Importance of Proper Heat Calculation

Details: Accurate heat calculation ensures your electric heating system is neither undersized (leading to insufficient heating) nor oversized (resulting in energy waste and higher costs).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total heat loss of your house in watts. This value should come from a professional heat loss calculation that considers factors like insulation, window area, and climate.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I determine my home's heat loss?
A: Professional energy auditors can perform Manual J calculations that consider insulation, window quality, home size, and local climate.

Q2: What's a typical heat loss for a house?
A: Well-insulated homes might lose 30-50 W/m², while older homes might lose 100 W/m² or more in cold climates.

Q3: Should I add a safety margin?
A: Typically add 10-20% to the calculated value to account for extremely cold days and system efficiency.

Q4: Can I use this for heat pumps?
A: Heat pumps are more efficient, so their kW rating would be lower than direct electric heat for the same heat output.

Q5: How does this relate to breaker size?
A: Electric heaters typically require 240V circuits. Divide kW by 0.24 to estimate amps (e.g., 5 kW ≈ 20.8A).