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Heating Efficiency Formula:
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Heating efficiency (η) measures how effectively a heating system converts input energy into useful heat output. It's expressed as a percentage, with higher values indicating more efficient systems that waste less energy.
The calculator uses the heating efficiency formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the percentage of input energy that is successfully converted to useful heat output, with the energy input converted from kWh to BTU for consistent units.
Details: Calculating heating efficiency helps evaluate system performance, identify energy waste, compare different heating systems, and make informed decisions about system upgrades or replacements to reduce energy costs and environmental impact.
Tips: Enter heat output in BTU, energy input in kWh. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator automatically converts energy input to BTU for accurate efficiency calculation.
Q1: What is a good heating efficiency percentage?
A: Modern high-efficiency systems typically achieve 90-98% efficiency. Older systems may range from 60-85%. Higher percentages indicate better performance.
Q2: Why convert kWh to BTU in the calculation?
A: Converting to consistent units (BTU) ensures accurate efficiency calculation since heat output is typically measured in BTU while energy input is often measured in kWh.
Q3: What factors affect heating efficiency?
A: System age, maintenance, insulation, ductwork condition, thermostat settings, and outdoor temperature all impact overall heating efficiency.
Q4: How often should efficiency be measured?
A: Efficiency should be checked annually, preferably before the heating season, to ensure optimal performance and identify any degradation.
Q5: Can efficiency exceed 100%?
A: Conventional systems cannot exceed 100% efficiency. However, heat pumps may show "efficiencies" over 100% (COP > 1) as they move heat rather than generate it.