How to Size an Electric Heater
Electric heaters come in a variety of sizes. They are sized in either watts, kilowatts, or BTUs. When planning the installation of an electric heater, you must first figure out how large a heater is required to heat the space efficiently. The goal is to use the smallest possible electric heater but not so small that it cannot heat the space. Using a heater that's too large will heat the space to the desired temperature, but it will also consume much more energy. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Calculate the square footage of the room or area you wish to heat with an electric heater. Measure the length and width of the room and multiply these numbers together to calculate the square footage.
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Allow between 10 and 15 watts per square foot depending on your home's insulation value. For new, well-insulated homes, you can use 10 watts. For homes with average insulation, you should use 12 watts. For older homes with poor insulation, use 15 watts per square foot.
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Multiply the room's area by the allowed watts per square foot to calculate how many watts it will take to heat that room. For example, if your room is 100 square feet, your heater size should be between 1,000 and 1,500 watts, depending on the insulation value.
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Select an appropriately sized heater. If you cannot find a heater at the calculated wattage, always select the next size larger for your room. If you select a smaller size, it will not be able to heat the room to your desired temperature.
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Tips & Warnings
If your ceiling height is more than 8 feet, increase the wattage by 25 percent for each additional 2 feet of height. For example, if your ceiling is 12 feet, you should increase the heater size by 50 percent.
Consider using a heat-loss calculator for a more precise measurement of your building's needs.
