We've prepared the following guide to calculating the wattage requirements for your home.

Please note, this is an approximate guide. Heat loss can be affected by many different factors.

Our team can provide you with an accurate, professional heat loss calculation for your home and help you decide on the exact panels for your needs.

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Step 1 - Measure your Room and Calculate the Total Volume

To calculate the wattage requirement for your room, you'll first need to calculate the volume of your room.

To do this, you'll need to multiply Room Area x Room Height.

  • If you have a rectangular or square room, multiply the Room Width x Room Length x Room Height to calculate the room volume in cubic metres.
  • If your room is an odd shape, you'll need to work out the total floor area of the space, then multiply Room Area x Room Height to calculate the room volume.

Example

  • Jim has a room that's 4 metres long, 5 metres wide and 2.4 metres high.
  • Therefore 4 metres x 5 metres x 2.4 metres = 48 cubic metres.

Step 2 - Calculate the Wattage Requirement of Your Room

Next, you'll need to consult the table below to find the appropriate watts/cubic metre figure for your room, so that you can calculate the total wattage requirement.

  1. Find the column with the house efficiency description that best matches your home.
  2. Find the row with the room description that best matches your room.
  3. Multiply Room Volume x Watts/Cubic Metre to calculate the wattage requirement for your room.
  4. Select the radiator or combination of radiators that meets the wattage requirement of the room. Remember that it's always better to specify more heating than less. It won't cost more to run (because the radiators will only use the energy needed to keep the room at a stable temperature), but it will ensure the room stays warm and the heaters aren't working harder than they should.

Example

  • Jim worked out in Step 1 that the volume of his room is 48 cubic metres.
  • He has a Good Modern Home that's at least 7 star efficiency.
  • The room he's trying to heat has large windows and more than 50% of the walls are external facing, so it best matches the Living Space Poor row. Therefore, he needs 25 Watts/Cubic Metre.
  • Jim multiples the room volume x watts/cubic metre to calculate the wattage requirement for the room. 48 x 25 = 1200 Watts
  • Jim chooses a 1250W radiator as this is the closest match to his requirements
Passive or Highly Efficient Home
Extremely well insulated & high-efficiency double glazing. 8 stars +
Good Modern Home
Good insulation in most or all surfaces, double glazing. 7 stars+
Typical Modern Home
Mass produced home from last 5 years. Meets energy efficiency standards (6 stars). Single-glazing or basic double glazing.
Slightly Older Home
5 to 20 years old, mass produced. Some insulation but not great. Single glazed windows.
Older, draughty home
Pre-2000’s - basic or no insulation. Draughty.
Living Space Poor
Greater than 50% external walls, large windows
22.5 Watts/Cubic Metre 25 Watts/Cubic Metre 30 Watts/Cubic Metre 32.5 Watts/Cubic Metre 50+ Watts/Cubic Metre
Living Space Average
Between 25% and 50% external wall, medium windows
20 Watts/Cubic Metre 22.5 Watts/Cubic Metre 27.5 Watts/Cubic Metre 30 Watts/Cubic Metre 42.5 Watts/Cubic Metre
Living Space Great
Less than 25% external wall, small windows
20 Watts/Cubic Metre 20 Watts/Cubic Metre 25 Watts/Cubic Metre 27.5 Watts/Cubic Metre 35 Watts/Cubic Metre
Bedroom Poor
Greater than 50% external walls, large windows
20 Watts/Cubic Metre 25 Watts/Cubic Metre 30 Watts/Cubic Metre 32.5 Watts/Cubic Metre 35 Watts/Cubic Metre
Bedroom Average
Between 25% and 50% external wall, medium windows
20 Watts/Cubic Metre 22.5 Watts/Cubic Metre 27.5 Watts/Cubic Metre 30 Watts/Cubic Metre 32.5 Watts/Cubic Metre
Bedroom Great
Less than 25% external wall, small windows
20 Watts/Cubic Metre 20 Watts/Cubic Metre 25 Watts/Cubic Metre 27.5 Watts/Cubic Metre 30 Watts/Cubic Metre
Bathroom
Small or no window, 25% - 50% external wall
25 Watts/Cubic Metre 30 Watts/Cubic Metre 32.5 Watts/Cubic Metre 37.5 Watts/Cubic Metre 45 Watts/Cubic Metre
Hallway
No windows, minimal external walls
20 Watts/Cubic Metre 20 Watts/Cubic Metre 25 Watts/Cubic Metre 27.5 Watts/Cubic Metre 30 Watts/Cubic Metre