How is commercial heating load calculated?

There is no single kW-per-square-metre figure that will accurately size every commercial building.A modern, well-insulated unit with limited door opening can behave very differently from an older warehouse of the same floor area with a high roof, poor insulation and loading doors opening throughout the day.That is why the ABS Commercial Heating Load Calculator considers more than floor area alone.

Building Dimensions

The length, width and ceiling height determine the approximate volume of space that needs to be heated.Ceiling height is particularly important in warehouses, factories, aircraft hangars, workshops and other large industrial buildings because a relatively modest floor area can contain a very large volume of air.

Indoor and outdoor temperatures

The greater the difference between the required indoor temperature and the temperature outside, the greater the heating requirement.A warehouse that only needs to maintain a relatively modest working temperature may therefore have a different requirement from a production facility, showroom or sports building where higher temperatures are required.

Large doors and air changes

Loading bays, roller shutters, vehicle entrances and frequently opened doors can have a significant effect on a commercial building.This is one reason why two warehouses of exactly the same size may require very different heating solutions.In some buildings, the answer may not simply be additional heating capacity. Air curtains, zoning or a different method of heating may help address the way the building is actually used.

Building use and occupancy

A heating system should suit the operation taking place inside the building.A continuously occupied production facility has different requirements from a warehouse with occasional staffing, while a workshop may only require heating in defined working zones.