1. What is the Radiator BTU Calculator?

The Radiator BTU Calculator estimates the heat output of a radiator based on its physical dimensions and a conversion factor. This helps determine if a radiator is appropriately sized for a room's heating requirements.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the radiator BTU formula:

Where:

• \( Length \) — Radiator length in feet
• \( Height \) — Radiator height in inches
• \( Factor \) — BTU conversion factor per foot-inch (typically 170 BTU/ft·in)

Explanation: The formula calculates the total heat output by multiplying the radiator's surface area (adjusted for units) by a standard conversion factor that represents the radiator's efficiency.

3. Importance of BTU Calculation

Details: Accurate BTU calculation ensures proper room heating, prevents energy waste, and helps select the right radiator size for optimal comfort and efficiency.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter radiator length in feet, height in inches, and the conversion factor. The default factor of 170 BTU/ft·in works for most standard radiators. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical BTU factor for radiators?
A: Most standard radiators use a factor between 150-200 BTU/ft·in, with 170 being a common average value.

Q2: How many BTUs do I need per square foot?
A: Typically 20-30 BTU per square foot for average rooms, but this varies with insulation, windows, and climate.

Q3: Can I use this for all radiator types?
A: This works best for standard panel radiators. Column radiators and designer radiators may have different efficiency factors.

Q4: Why measure length in feet and height in inches?
A: This mixed unit system is standard in the heating industry for radiator sizing calculations.

Q5: Should I add extra BTU capacity?
A: It's recommended to add 10-20% extra capacity for rooms with poor insulation, large windows, or high ceilings.