1. What is Heated Square Footage?

Heated square footage refers to the portion of a building's total area that is actively heated. This calculation helps determine the actual living space that requires heating, which is important for energy efficiency, HVAC sizing, and property valuation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the heated square footage formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Heated Sq Ft} \) — Heated square footage (square feet)
• \( \text{Total Sq Ft} \) — Total square footage of the property (square feet)
• \( \text{Heated Fraction} \) — Portion of home heated (dimensionless, between 0 and 1)

Explanation: This formula calculates the actual heated area by multiplying the total square footage by the fraction that receives heating.

3. Importance of Heated Square Footage Calculation

Details: Accurate heated square footage calculation is crucial for proper HVAC system sizing, energy consumption estimation, heating cost calculations, and accurate property assessments for real estate purposes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter total square footage in square feet and heated fraction as a decimal between 0 and 1. For example, if 75% of the home is heated, enter 0.75 as the heated fraction.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is considered heated square footage?
A: Heated square footage includes all areas with active heating systems, such as living rooms, bedrooms, and heated basements. It excludes unheated garages, porches, and storage areas.

Q2: How do I determine the heated fraction?
A: Divide the heated area by the total area. For example, if a 2,000 sq ft home has 1,600 sq ft of heated space, the heated fraction is 0.8 (1,600 ÷ 2,000).

Q3: Why is heated square footage important for HVAC?
A: HVAC systems are sized based on heated square footage to ensure proper heating capacity and energy efficiency. Oversized or undersized systems can lead to comfort issues and higher energy costs.

Q4: Does heated square footage affect property value?
A: Yes, heated square footage is a key factor in property valuation as it represents the usable living space. Unheated areas typically have lower value per square foot.

Q5: How does this differ from livable square footage?
A: Heated square footage specifically refers to areas with heating, while livable square footage includes all habitable spaces regardless of heating. Some areas may be livable but not heated.