Commercial Heating Load Calculator

Enter a few details about the size, construction and use of your building to get an initial estimate of the heating capacity required in kilowatts (kW) and explore the types of commercial heating system that may be suitable.

Your building
60 m
30 m
8 m
Insulation
Loading doors
Temperatures
Estimated heating requirement
0kW
Building heat loss 0 kW Doors & ventilation 0 kW

An initial estimate for comparing options — not a substitute for a professional heat-loss survey. Glazing, processes and zoning all affect the final design.

Get the exact figure — book a free site survey
How this is calculated

Building loss = volume × insulation factor (0.5 / 0.8 / 1.2 W/m³·°C) × temperature difference. Ventilation loss = 0.33 × air changes (0.5 / 1 / 2 per hour by door usage) × volume × temperature difference. The range adds a 15% design margin.

Businesses we work with:

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What does my heating load result mean?

Your estimated heating load is the approximate amount of heat that needs to be supplied to maintain the required indoor temperature under the conditions entered into the calculator.

For example, if the calculator estimates a heating requirement of 150 kW, this does not necessarily mean that the building simply needs one 150 kW heater. The final heating system may use several heaters, different heating zones or a combination of technologies depending on the building and how it is used.

The right solution can also depend on factors including:

ceiling height and building volum
insulation and building construction
external doors and how frequently they are opened
working zones and occupancy
required indoor temperature
available energy sources
existing heating equipment
whether the entire building or only particular areas need to be heated

The calculator is therefore intended to provide a useful first estimate. A final system design should take account of the building itself and its operational requirements.

Need a more detailed assessment? ABS provides free site surveys throughout the UK, with recommendations based on the building and existing heating system. ABS already promotes free, no-obligation surveys and nationwide site assessment as part of its commercial heating service.

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.

Building construction and insulation

The construction of the walls, roof, floor, windows and doors all influence how rapidly heat can leave the building.Improving the thermal performance of a building can therefore change the amount of heating capacity required.

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.

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Which commercial heating system could be suitable?

Your estimated heating load is only one part of selecting a commercial heating system.ABS works with a range of technologies, allowing the heating approach to be selected around the building rather than forcing every application into the same solution. ABS currently provides commercial warm-air and radiant heating and works across other heating and cooling technologies.

Need a more detailed assessment? ABS provides free site surveys throughout the UK, with recommendations based on the building and existing heating system. ABS already promotes free, no-obligation surveys and nationwide site assessment as part of its commercial heating service.