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What is a kW ?
The kilowatt (symbol: kW), equal to one thousand watts, is
typically used to state the power output of engines and the power
consumption of tools and machines. A kilowatt is approximately
equivalent to 1.34 horsepower. An electric heater with one heating
element might use 1 kilowatt.
What size of stove do I need
for my room?
The first thing to do in order to
decide the kW output required, is to measure your room.
Measure the width, length and height of your room in metres. Calculate
the measurements together (w x l x h) to give you the volume of the room
in cubic metres. If you have an L-shaped room, then do the calculation
for each part of the L-shape and add them together. If the room has a
pitched ceiling then use the height of the room as half the height of
the pitch.
As a guide, 1kW heating output will approximately heat 25 cubic metres
if the room is well insulated, 15 cubic metres if the room is of average
insulation, and 10 cubic metres is the room is poorly insulated.
Divide the area of the room (cubic metres) by the insulation figures
above (25, 15 or 10 cubic metres) to get the heat output required in kW.
Example:-
A room with the following dimensions; 7 metres long, 4 metres wide, and
2.6 metre high ceilings. The air volume of this room would be 7 x 4 x
2.6 = 72.8 cubic metres.
An average insulated room would therefore require an appliance with a
heat output of 72.8 divided by 15 = 4.85 kW.
You have to make an assessment as to how well insulated the room is.
Things that affect the insulation are:- Large window areas, number of
outside walls, open staircases in the room, number of doors, uninsulated
walls etc. |
