Canadian Load Calculators
What size furnace do I need? What wire gauge? How much can my deck hold? Free answers built to CEC, NBCC, and CSA standards.
Electrical Load Calculators (CEC 2021)
Wire sizing, circuit breakers, load calculations, voltage drop — all per the Canadian Electrical Code.
All Electrical toolsStructural Load Calculators (NBCC 2020)
Beam sizing, roof snow loads, deck capacity — built to the National Building Code and CSA O86.
All Structural toolsHVAC Load Calculators (CSA F280)
Furnace sizing and cooling load for Canadian climates — city-specific design temperatures across all provinces.
All HVAC toolsTrucking Calculators — Axle Weight & HOS
Axle weight limits by province and season — covering all 10 provinces including spring restrictions.
All Trucking toolsWhy Canadian-specific load calculators?
Canada and the United States use different codes. Electrical installations follow the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC C22.1), not the American NEC. The ampacity values in CEC Table 2 differ from NEC Table 310.16, and CEC Rule 8-102 makes the 3% voltage drop limit mandatory — in the US it is only recommended. The residential demand method under CEC Rules 8-200 through 8-210 also uses different factors than NEC Article 220.
Structural work follows the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC 2020) and CSA O86. Snow loads are calculated from NBCC Appendix C ground snow load data specific to each Canadian city. Beam sizing uses Canadian lumber species and grades (SPF, D.Fir-L) with CSA O86 Fb values.
HVAC sizing in Canada uses the CSA F280-12 method with Canadian heating design temperatures — Vancouver at −7°C, Toronto at −18°C, Winnipeg at −33°C. These differ substantially from ASHRAE values used in US tools, and using a US tool can undersize a Canadian furnace by 15–30%.
All 13 calculators reference the Canadian standard specifically — CEC, NBCC, CSA, or provincial regulations — so your results and permit submissions are code-compliant for Canadian projects.
Built to these Canadian standards
Which calculator do you need?
Electrical
Start with the Wire Size Calculator when sizing a new circuit — it returns the minimum conductor size from CEC Table 2 for your load and run length. Use the Circuit Breaker Sizing Calculator to confirm the correct breaker for EV chargers, hot tubs, or ranges. Before a service upgrade, run the Electrical Load Calculator (CEC Rule 8-200 demand method) to confirm panel headroom. For any circuit over 30 metres — to a garage, workshop, or outbuilding — check with the Voltage Drop Calculator to stay under the mandatory 3% CEC limit.
Structural
Use the Beam Load Calculator to size a beam for a deck, basement, or load-bearing wall opening under NBCC 2020. The Roof Snow Load Calculator applies city-specific NBCC ground snow loads — needed before any roof addition or solar panel installation. The Deck Load Calculator calculates post and footing loads for permit applications.
HVAC
Use the Heat Load Calculator (CSA F280-12) to size a furnace or heat pump before purchasing. If you know your square footage but not all insulation details, the Furnace Sizing Calculator provides a quick estimate. For summer sizing, use the Cooling Load Calculator.
Trucking
The Axle Weight Calculator gives province-specific limits including spring load restrictions. The Hours of Service Calculator tracks driving and duty time under Transport Canada SOR/2005-313. The Fuel Cost Calculator estimates trip fuel cost by province and fuel type.