| BTU calculators can be found on almost every | | | | - Factory work (heavy) = 1600 |
| website with even the most tenuous connection to | | | | - Exercise (heavy) = 1800 |
| heating, but what exactly do they do and how is it | | | | As far as we're concerned though, a BTU calculator |
| useful in real terms? Let's take a closer look at the | | | | works by taking some or all of the following |
| term BTU. In simple terms, BTU is the accepted | | | | measurements and factors into consideration and then |
| abbreviation for British Thermal Unit; despite the name | | | | using them to calculate the BTU total your heating |
| the BTU is a standard unit of energy all over the world, | | | | systems will need to put out: |
| not just in Britain. | | | | - Length of the Room |
| One BTU is defined as the amount of heat required to | | | | - width of the Room |
| raise the temperature of one pound of liquid water by | | | | - Height of the Room |
| 1 degree Fahrenheit at its maximum density. BTU | | | | - Dining Room/Lounge |
| would be more correctly referred to as BTU per hour, | | | | - Bedroom |
| but for convenience's sake the term has come to be | | | | - Kitchen/Common Area |
| understood to mean BTU/hr. The relationship between | | | | - North Facing Wall |
| BTU and the other measurements of energy | | | | - French Windows |
| 1 BTU = 251.9 calories | | | | - Double Glazing |
| 1 BTU = 1055 joules | | | | Divide the resulting BTU total by the number of |
| 1 Watt = 3.413 BTU | | | | radiators you intend to install. Your BTU calculator will |
| 1kWatt = 3413 BTU | | | | give the amount of BTU each radiator will need to |
| Electrical heating equipment is by no means the sole | | | | output. |
| generator of BTU. Even human bodies generate a | | | | However it is important to remember that the figure |
| not-inconsiderable amount of BTU. This amount of | | | | your BTU calculator provides is what the radiator will |
| BTU varies depending on the activity the person is | | | | put out in an average room with no external factors. If |
| engaged in: | | | | you live in a warm climate, on top of an hill completely |
| State of Activity | | | | exposed to the elements or in a region where snow is |
| BTU/hr generated | | | | common, you will have to compensate for these |
| - Asleep = 250 | | | | factors. |
| - At rest = 350 | | | | Remember, it is always better to overestimate your |
| - Office work (seated) = 420 | | | | needs than underestimate. You can lower a radiator's |
| - Office work (standing) = 640 | | | | maximum heat output but you can't force it to |
| - Ten-Pin Bowling = 960 | | | | generate more heat than it's physically capable of! |
| - Walking (3mph) = 1040 | | | | |