Electric Space Heaters and how to size one properly

During a cold weather spell you may need to subsidize your heating with an electric space heater. Do you have a drafty room or need to add heat just to help keep your pipes from freezing or have an area that does not have enough BTU's from you current heating system?  If so, do you know how to size a unit for your application?  The following information will help:

How to properly size an electric heater:

1) Measure the length and width of the room to determine total square footage.

2) Select your level of insulation

•Poor - Little insulation (Older homes) - 12.5 watts per foot

•Average - R-11 in walls and R-19 in ceiling - 10 watts per square foot

•Full - R-19 in walls and R-38 in ceiling - 7.5 watts per square foot

3) Make adjustments as necessary.

•For ceilings above 8 feet - increase wattage by 25% for every additional 2 feet in height

•Use a minimum of 1000 watts in a bathroom

•If a recommended wattage falls between two sizes - select the large heater

•For colder climates (prolonged winter temperatures below 20°F) use the next higher wattage up to 15 watts per square foot

4)  Use the chart below to calculate the recommended wattage or calculate it yourself with this example:
A room that is 10 feet wide by 13 feet wide with an 8 foot ceiling and Average insulations =  10 x 13 = 130 then 130 x 10 watts/per square foot = 1300 Watts

Room Size (Sq Ft with 8 foot ceiling)	Watts (Poor Insulation)	Watts (Avg Insulation)	Watts (Fully Insulation)
20 square feet	250	250	250
40 square feet	500	500	500
60 square feet	750	750	450
80 square feet	1000	1000	750
100 square feet	1250	1000	750
120 square feet	1500	1250	1000
140 square feet	1750	1500	1250
160 square feet	2000	1750	1250
180 square feet	2250	2000	1500
200 square feet	2500	2000	1500
220 square feet	2750	2250	1750
240 square feet	3000	2400	2000

Please Note: All these numbers are for general information - each install will vary depending on many other fact

To calculate the Watts to BTU click on the link below....

http://www.houseneeds.com/learning-center/electric-space-heater-install-information/watts-to-btu-calculator

 

For product information go to the below link to select the heater that will meet your needs.

 

http://www.houseneeds.com/heating/electric-space-heaters

 

Or call us at 866-432-8123 ask for sales