1. What is Home Square Footage?

Home square footage is the total area of a home's living space, calculated by summing the heated and cooled areas. It's a crucial metric in real estate valuation, property taxes, and HVAC system sizing.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Heated Area} \) — Space with heating systems (sq ft)
• \( \text{Cooled Area} \) — Space with cooling systems (sq ft)

Explanation: This calculation provides the total livable area of a home by combining spaces with climate control systems.

3. Importance of Square Footage Calculation

Details: Accurate square footage is essential for property valuation, insurance purposes, energy efficiency assessments, and compliance with building codes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both heated and cooled areas in square feet. Measurements should be taken from interior walls and exclude non-livable spaces like garages.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's included in heated/cooled area?
A: Only spaces with permanent heating/cooling systems. Exclude garages, porches, and unfinished basements unless conditioned.

Q2: How does this differ from gross living area?
A: GLA typically includes all finished above-grade space, while this calculation focuses on climate-controlled areas.

Q3: Should I include bathrooms and closets?
A: Yes, include all interior spaces that are heated/cooled, regardless of their specific use.

Q4: How accurate should measurements be?
A: For official purposes, measurements should be precise to the nearest square foot. For estimates, rounding to nearest 5-10 sq ft is acceptable.

Q5: Does this apply to multi-story homes?
A: Yes, include all floors' heated/cooled areas in your calculations.