How to Size a Heatstar Heater for Your Jobsite or Facility

Angel Lou Bagol
How to Size a Heatstar Heater for Your Jobsite or Facility

Choosing the right Heatstar heater isn’t just about staying warm. It’s about keeping projects on schedule, protecting valuable equipment, and ensuring worker comfort, even in the harshest -30°C Canadian winters. An undersized heater leads to delays and unsafe conditions, while an oversized one wastes fuel and money.

As Canada's trusted experts in jobsite solutions, Cleanflow is here to help you get it right. This guide provides a straightforward formula and practical examples to help you calculate your heating needs and select the perfect Heatstar model.

Why Proper Heater Sizing is Critical

Selecting the correct heater size directly impacts your bottom line and operational success. The right BTU (British Thermal Unit) output ensures:

  • Worker Safety and Productivity: A properly heated environment keeps your crew safe, comfortable, and productive, even when temperatures plummet.
  • Project and Equipment Integrity: Consistent heat is crucial for processes like curing concrete and protecting sensitive equipment from frost damage. In agriculture, it keeps barns and greenhouses at optimal temperatures.
  • Cost Efficiency: Correctly sizing your heater prevents fuel waste from an oversized unit and improves the equipment's lifespan, delivering better ROI.
Why Proper Heater Sizing is Critical

The BTU Calculation Formula

To determine your heating needs, you can use a standard sizing formula that accounts for your space and environmental conditions.

The Formula:
Area (sq. ft.) × Temperature Rise (°F) × Heat Loss Factor = Required BTUs

Let’s break down each part:

  • Area (sq. ft.): The total square footage of the space you need to heat (Length × Width).
  • Temperature Rise (°F): The difference between your desired indoor temperature and the current outdoor temperature.
  • Heat Loss Factor: A number representing your space’s insulation level.

    • Well-insulated: 1.0–1.5

    • Average insulation: 2.0–2.5

    • Poor insulation/Outdoor tent: 3.0–4.0

Step-by-Step Sizing Examples

Here are three common scenarios to show how the formula works in practice.

Example 1: Warehouse

  • Size: 5,000 sq. ft.
  • Outside Temp: -10°C (14°F)
  • Desired Inside Temp: 10°C (50°F)
  • Temperature Rise: 36°F (50°F - 14°F)
  • Insulation: Average (Heat Loss Factor: 2.0)

Calculation: 5,000 sq. ft. × 36°F × 2.0 = 360,000 BTUs needed

✅ Our Recommendation: The Heatstar HS4000NG/LP (400,000 BTU/hr) provides ample power for this space. It’s one of our most popular direct-fired heaters.

Example 2: Construction Jobsite Tent

  • Size: 2,500 sq. ft.
  • Outside Temp: -20°C (-4°F)
  • Desired Inside Temp: 5°C (41°F)
  • Temperature Rise: 45°F (41°F - [-4°F])
  • Insulation: Poor/Tent (Heat Loss Factor: 3.5)

Calculation: 2,500 sq. ft. × 45°F × 3.5 = 393,750 BTUs needed

✅ Our Recommendation: The Heatstar HS6000DF (610,000 BTU/hr) offers more than enough power, and its adjustable output allows you to dial it in as needed. Check out our full range of forced-air heaters for more options.

Example 3: Agricultural Barn

  • Size: 3,000 sq. ft.
  • Outside Temp: -15°C (5°F)
  • Desired Inside Temp: 5°C (41°F)
  • Temperature Rise: 36°F (41°F - 5°F)
  • Insulation: Average (Heat Loss Factor: 2.0)

Calculation: 3,000 sq. ft. × 36°F × 2.0 = 216,000 BTUs needed

✅ Our Recommendation: The Heatstar HS200CVX (200,000 BTU/hr) is a perfect fit. It is one of the most reliable convection heaters on the market.

Important Considerations for Canadian Climates

Canada’s diverse climate requires adjustments to your BTU calculations.

  • Eastern Canada: Add 15–20% to account for high humidity and damp cold.
  • Prairie Provinces: Add 25% for extreme cold snaps and vast, open spaces.
  • Northern Territories: Add 30–40% to combat severe arctic conditions.
  • Coastal Regions: Factor in wind chill and drafts, which can significantly increase heat loss.

Find the Right Heater with Cleanflow

Choosing the right size Heatstar heater ensures your project stays productive, workers remain comfortable, and costs stay under control. By following these steps, you can confidently match your job site with the perfect heating solution. With a full lineup of Heatstar heaters in Canada, fast nationwide shipping, and bulk discounts for contractors, we make it easy to get the heat you need, when you need it.

Need help choosing the right size Heatstar heater for your project? Call Cleanflow’s experts at 1-866-335-1078 or shop our collection online today.