Propane Vs Electric Heat Calculator

Annual Cost Calculation:

\[ \text{Annual Cost} = \frac{\text{BTU/hr} \times \text{Hours} \times \text{Fuel Cost}}{\text{Efficiency}} \]

BTU/hr:

BTU/hr

Hours:

hr/yr

Propane Cost:

currency/BTU

Propane Efficiency:

Electric Cost:

currency/BTU

Electric Efficiency:

Propane Annual Cost:

Electric Annual Cost:

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1. What is the Propane Vs Electric Heat Calculator?

The Propane Vs Electric Heat Calculator compares yearly operating costs between propane and electric heating systems. It helps homeowners and businesses make informed decisions about heating system selection based on operational expenses.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the annual cost calculation formula:

\[ \text{Annual Cost} = \frac{\text{BTU/hr} \times \text{Hours} \times \text{Fuel Cost}}{\text{Efficiency}} \]

Where:

$ BTU/hr $ — Heating capacity in British Thermal Units per hour
$ Hours $ — Annual operating hours
$ Fuel Cost $ — Cost per BTU for each fuel type
$ Efficiency $ — System efficiency percentage

Explanation: The calculation accounts for heating capacity, usage patterns, fuel costs, and system efficiency to provide accurate annual cost comparisons.

3. Importance of Heating Cost Comparison

Details: Comparing propane vs electric heating costs helps in making cost-effective decisions for heating system installation, replacement, or optimization, considering long-term operational expenses.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter heating capacity in BTU/hr, annual operating hours, fuel costs per BTU for both propane and electricity, and system efficiencies. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Which is generally cheaper, propane or electric heat?
A: This depends on local fuel prices and system efficiencies. Propane often has lower fuel costs but electric systems can have higher efficiencies.

Q2: What is a typical efficiency range for heating systems?
A: Modern propane systems: 80-98%, Electric heat pumps: 200-300% (COP), Electric resistance: 95-100%.

Q3: How do I convert electricity cost per kWh to cost per BTU?
A: Divide cost per kWh by 3412 (BTU per kWh). Example: $0.15/kWh ÷ 3412 = $0.000044/BTU.

Q4: What factors affect annual heating hours?
A: Climate, insulation quality, building size, thermostat settings, and occupancy patterns all influence annual heating requirements.

Q5: Should I consider installation costs in this comparison?
A: This calculator focuses on operational costs only. Installation, maintenance, and equipment replacement costs should be considered separately for complete analysis.