A heat input control method for a welding system includes the step of receiving data encoding a desired heat input range having heat input values included between an upper limit and a lower limit. The method also includes the step of receiving data encoding a desired change to a level of a first weld variable of a set of weld variables. Further, the method includes determining a change to a level of a second weld variable of the set of weld variables. The determined change to the level of the second weld variable is suitable to maintain a heat input of a welding operation within the desired heat input range.