Why do I need a radiator size calculator?
When buying a heating radiator for the house, many face the problem of choosing a size. It is important to pay attention to this, because the wrong size radiator can make the room too cold or too hot, the air too wet or too dry.
Our tool allows you to estimate the size of the heating radiator by room size, heating rate or heat loss. To perform the calculation, you will need to determine the length/width/height of the room, check with the manufacturer for the capacity of one radiator section, and select the type of connection. Please note that a 10-15% power reserve is recommended. The theoretical justification for the calculation is below.
Radiator size formulas
Radiator size can be calculated in two ways: by room volume or by heat loss.
The formula for the first case:
k = (V × q × z) / P2
- V – room volume, m3;
- q – heating rate, W/m3;
- z – correction for connection type;
- P2 – heat output of one radiator section, W.
Correction values based on the type of connection:
- single-sided (bottom input / top return) – 1.28;
- single-sided (top input / bottom return) – 1.03;
- double-sided (input-return from one side) – 1.28;
- diagonal (bottom input / top return) – 1.00;
- diagonal (top input / bottom return) – 1.25.
The second version of the calculation is based on the fact that the radiator size is determined depending on the heat loss of the room.
k = Q / P2
- Q – heat loss room, W;
- P2 – heat output of one radiator section, W.
Heat output of one radiator section
| Материал радиатора | Heat output of one section, W | |
| Hub distance, 300 mm | Hub distance, 500 mm | |
| Steel | 85 | 120 |
| Cast iron | 100 | 160 |
| Aluminium | 140 | 185 |
| Bimetallic | 150 | 210 |
