Heating Fuel Comparison Calculator

Cost Comparison Formula:

\[ \text{Cost} = \left( \frac{\text{BTU Needed}}{\text{Fuel BTU per Unit} \times \text{Efficiency}} \right) \times \text{Price per Unit} \]

BTU Needed (BTU):

BTU

Fuel BTU per Unit (BTU/unit):

BTU/unit

Efficiency (decimal):

decimal

Price per Unit ($/unit):

$/unit

Estimated Cost:

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1. What is the Heating Fuel Comparison Calculator?

The Heating Fuel Comparison Calculator estimates the cost of heating based on BTU requirements, fuel energy content, system efficiency, and fuel price. It helps compare different heating fuel options for cost-effectiveness.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the cost comparison formula:

\[ \text{Cost} = \left( \frac{\text{BTU Needed}}{\text{Fuel BTU per Unit} \times \text{Efficiency}} \right) \times \text{Price per Unit} \]

Where:

$ \text{BTU Needed} $ — Total heating requirement in BTU
$ \text{Fuel BTU per Unit} $ — Energy content of the fuel per unit
$ \text{Efficiency} $ — System efficiency as a decimal (e.g., 0.85 for 85%)
$ \text{Price per Unit} $ — Cost of fuel per unit

Explanation: The formula calculates how many units of fuel are needed to meet the heating requirement, then multiplies by the price per unit to get the total cost.

3. Importance of Fuel Cost Comparison

Details: Comparing heating fuel costs helps homeowners and businesses make informed decisions about energy choices, potentially saving significant money on heating expenses.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter BTU requirement, fuel energy content, system efficiency (as decimal), and price per unit. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical BTU values for common fuels?
A: Natural gas: ~1,000 BTU/cubic foot; Propane: ~91,500 BTU/gallon; Heating oil: ~138,500 BTU/gallon; Electricity: 3,412 BTU/kWh.

Q2: What are typical efficiency ranges for heating systems?
A: Modern furnaces: 90-98%; Older systems: 70-85%; Electric resistance: 100%; Heat pumps: 200-300%+ (COP).

Q3: How do I calculate my BTU heating requirement?
A: Professional load calculation is best, but rough estimates can be made based on square footage, insulation, and climate.

Q4: Does this account for seasonal efficiency variations?
A: No, this calculator uses a fixed efficiency value. Actual seasonal efficiency may vary.

Q5: Can I compare multiple fuels at once?
A: This calculator calculates cost for one fuel type at a time. Run multiple calculations to compare different fuels.