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Heat Loss Calc – GreenBuildingAdvisor
- April 16, 2026
- Posted by: sherwin@eyeconz.com
- Category: Uncategorized
I am doing a DIY house build right now and doing some heat loss calculations. I attempted to use some actual software but there were too many aspects of the software I didn’t understand. I have run the build through two different AI models and they spit out roughly the same numbers but I am curious if someone with real knowledge could gut check this for me.
House is in central Vermont, Heat loss calcs were done at -10F
This is an ICF build with extra thick ICF blocks for a true R-30 foam value. Basement and Main floor. Total 16′ ICF height
North East and West Walls are buried to a 11′ height 5′ Exposed. Ie: the first 3′ of the main floor is actually underground The house is more or less an A frame with tall knee walls, from the inside you have a lot more wall (nearly full height) than the outside with the partial burying. South wall is exposed 8′
So ICF R-30 to Eave height. 36×25′ Footprint (Exterior)
Cathedral Roof/Ceiling, 14/12 slope, Insulated to ~R-47
R-20 under 4″ concrete basement slab.
Gable walls total square footage ~180 sq/ft each 360 sq/ft total at R-30 insulation level
Roughly 75 sq/ft of south wall is glazing European style tilt and turn windows Triple Glazed .54 SHGC and .12 U-Factor
Total Glazing elsewhere 21 sq/ft same specs.
House will be extremely airtight (near passive house levels) with an HRV system
Full envelope is heated basement, main floor, lofted cathedral ceiling area.
I am getting numbers of around 12,000-14,000 BTU/HR at -10F
I am not asking anyone to run the numbers for me but does this sound reasonably in the ballpark?
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