When it comes to heating a room or a house, the type and size of a radiator are as essential as the type and size of a boiler.
There is much more to know about a radiator than how it looks. The radiator has to be sized correctly so that it heats a room sufficiently. The heating output of a radiator is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). In this article, we'll run through what BTU's are and how we can calculate how many BTUs a room needs to heat it properly.
What are BTUs and why do they matter?
BTUs, or British Thermal Units, are a unit of measurement for energy that shows how much heat a radiator can give out. The higher the BTU of a radiator, the more heat the radiator outputs. To work out the correct sized radiator for a room, it's important to calculate how many BTUs are needed to heat the room effectively.
There are several factors that affect how many BTUs a room needs, these are:-
- Room Size - a larger room will require more heat and more BTUs to heat the room adequately
- Window Size - larger windows cool a room down more than a smaller window or no windows. Therefore, the larger the window in a room the higher the BTU rating of a radiator is required
- Window Type - double glazing will keep a room warmer than single glazing. This means that a room with single glazed windows will require larger radiators that will have a higher BTU
- Room Insulation and wall type - the type of walls a room has and whether it has any insulation also affects how many BTUs will be required to heat a room. A cavity wall with cavity wall insulation will required less BTUs than an uninsulated cavity wall
How To Calculate a Rooms BTU
The easiest way to calculate a room BTU is to use an online BTU calculator and input the requested information. It really is that simple.
Summary
Picking the best radiator for your home includes making decisions like colour, type, and style. However, understanding BTUs is more important. What's the point in having a great looking radiator if it doesn't heat the room adequately? The best thing about BTU requirements is how easy it is to calculate via online BTU calculators.
Heat My House specialises in boiler and central heating installations. If you want a quote for a new central system, get in touch by calling 0330 043 8430.
