How many BTU for 2,000 sq ft?
Updated October 24, 2026
To heat 2,000 sq ft (186 m²) you need between 30,000 and 66,800 BTU/h depending on your city and insulation. Here is the calculation city by city, using the CSA F280 method.
Assumption: a 2,000 sq ft two-storey house with no heated basement, 8 ft ceilings, windows in proportion to floor area.
Heating load by city and house age
| City | After 2010 | 1990 to 2010 | 1970 to 1990 | Before 1970 | Cooling* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver (-7 °C) | 30,000 | 30,000 | 30,000 | 35,900 | 15,700 |
| Toronto (-18 °C) | 30,000 | 30,000 | 37,200 | 49,500 | 18,200 |
| Halifax (-16 °C) | 30,000 | 30,000 | 35,300 | 47,000 | 15,000 |
| Montreal (-23 °C) | 30,000 | 30,000 | 41,900 | 55,600 | 16,900 |
| Quebec City (-26 °C) | 30,000 | 30,900 | 44,600 | 59,400 | 15,700 |
| Winnipeg (-31 °C) | 30,300 | 34,100 | 49,300 | 65,500 | 16,900 |
| Edmonton (-32 °C) | 30,800 | 34,700 | 50,200 | 66,800 | 15,000 |
* Cooling for a 1990–2010 house, at the city’s summer design temperature.
Which Kanartic system for 2,000 sq ft?
Newer house in Toronto
Z-PRO 36,000 · 2 zonesfrom $5,325 · DIY
Covers 100% of the heating load at -18 °C
See on kanartic.ca1990–2010 house in Montreal
Z-PRO 36,000 · 2 zonesfrom $5,325 · DIY
Covers 100% of the heating load at -23 °C
See on kanartic.caPre-1970 house in Edmonton
Z-PRO 36,000 · 2 zones + ZERO 24,000 wall unitfrom $8,974 · DIY
Covers 90% of the heating load at -32 °C
See on kanartic.caWhat about 25 BTU per square foot?
The rule of thumb would give 50,000 BTU/h for 2,000 sq ft. The component calculation gives 30,000 to 66,800 BTU/h: depending on the house and climate, the rule is off by −25% to +67%.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 12,000 BTU heat pump enough for 2,000 sq ft?
In Montreal, for a 1990–2010 house, a 12,000 BTU unit covers 40% of the load at -23 °C; for a pre-1970 house, 22%. So you need a bigger unit or backup heat.
How many BTU to cool 2,000 sq ft?
Between 15,000 and 18,200 BTU/h for a 1990–2010 house, depending on the city. In Canada, heating sets heat pump size, not cooling.
Wall unit or multi-zone for 2,000 sq ft?
At this size, a multi-zone puts one indoor unit per floor or large room, connected to a single outdoor unit.
Other floor areas
1,500 sq ft1,600 sq ft1,800 sq ft2,200 sq ft2,400 sq ft2,600 sq ftAll
How many BTU for my house?Why not to oversizeHeat pump costBy room