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Fuel Savings Calculator

Infrared vs. Convection · Annual Cost

Four quick questions to see what VAL6 infrared could save you. Switch to Advanced to adjust air-change rates, insulation and fuel price.

Your Building

Choose a city so we can use local heating degree days.

Sets air-change rate and insulation values for you.

Choose a building type.

Building size

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Height (ft)

Enter a length, width and height greater than zero.

ACH — air changes per hour. This is the single biggest driver of the result.

Insulation R-values

Floor

Roof

Wall

BTU/(h·ft·°F) perimeter heat loss factor

USD per gallon

Operating schedule

Hours/day

Days/week

Displayed on results. See Assumptions for how these are applied.

Results update automatically as you change inputs.

Pick a city and building type

Your estimate will appear here.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How does VAL6 infrared heating save fuel compared to conventional convection heaters?

    Convection heaters warm the surrounding air, which easily escapes through open doors, high ceilings, and poor insulation. VAL6 infrared heaters directly warm objects and people rather than the air, eliminating major ventilation and air-change heat losses.


  • What parameters are used to calculate total seasonal heat loss?

    The calculator factors in building dimensions (length, width, height), location-based Heating Degree Days (HDD), heating set point, air change rates (ACH), insulation R-values for the floor, roof, and walls, and the slab edge F-factor.


  • Why is the Air Change Rate (ACH) so critical to the overall cost comparison?

    Air change rate measures how frequently the air inside a structure is replaced. Because conventional convection heaters must continuously heat incoming cold air, high ACH dramatically inflates convection heating costs while having a minimal impact on radiant infrared heating.


  • How does the calculator determine heater sizing and model recommendations?

    Sizing is based on the building’s total calculated heat loss at local design temperatures ($\Delta T$). The tool compares this load against the infrared conversion ratio and BTU/h fuel input rating of specific models (such as the EPX, KBE-5S, and KBE-5L) to calculate the exact number of units required.


  • Are the fuel cost and savings figures guaranteed?

    No, the figures are estimates for comparison purposes based on typical building presets, regional degree days, and customizable fuel prices. Actual fuel consumption varies depending on real-world building conditions, specific usage patterns, local weather, and fluctuating fuel prices.