Woodshop HVAC Load Estimator
Estimate the heating/cooling load for your workshop.
Properly heating and cooling a workshop is essential for comfort, but more importantly, for protecting your tools from rust and your wood from extreme humidity swings. Sizing an HVAC system requires understanding the heating/cooling load, measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). This calculator provides a very rough estimate to get you started.
This is a simplified model and does not replace a professional HVAC load calculation, which would account for windows, climate zone, air infiltration, and heat generated by equipment. However, it can give you a general idea of the size of heater or air conditioner you might need.
- BTU (British Thermal Unit): A unit of heat energy. One BTU is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. HVAC systems are rated in BTU/hr.
- HVAC: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.
- Insulation Factor: A rough measure of how well your shop is insulated. A lower number means better insulation (e.g., a modern, well-sealed shop might be 15-20), while a high number means poor insulation (e.g., an uninsulated garage might be 30-40).
:strip_icc()/FREE-Plans-2000-a1c827cc7280459c8ae9bd4b12fca550.jpg)
Always double-check your measurements before cutting.
Account for the kerf (the width of the saw blade) in your calculations.
Consider wood movement (expansion and contraction) in your final dimensions.
Buy 10-15% extra material to account for mistakes and waste.