T&T: Heating Alternatives (was AGM Ramifications)

[Robin Brueckner]

In researching home heating fuel alternatives I came across the following
equivalents which are useful for on board heating as well. This is a
different, but equivalent way, to compare fuel costs as I have posted in past
years

ALL OF THE FOLLOWING FUELS PRODUCE 1 MILLION BTU'S

ELECTRIC:          293.1 Kwh
(3412 btu/Kwh)
NATURAL GAS:    1 MCF, 10 Therms or 1,000 Cu. ft

PROPANE:           10.9  gallons      (91,000BTU/Gal)

Gasoline              8.0 gallons
(125,000 BTU/Gal)

Fuel Oil #2          6.67 gallons
(139,000 BTU/gal)

WOOD                286 lbs
(3,500 BTU/lb)

So,for example, it takes 10.9 gallons of propane to produce the same heat as
6.67 gallons of diesel (#2) fuel.....so if the cost per gallon were the same,
propane would be 10.9/6.67  or 63% more expensive than diesel at 100%
conversion efficiency for both fuels.

If diesel is $3.00 per gal and a diesel heater is 80% efficient and  propane
were $3.50 a gallon and used in a heater with 90% efficiency the comparison
would be:

(10.9gal x $3.50/gal x 90%)/(6.67 x $3.00 x 80%)  or 114% more
expensive....but first cost for a propane heater is MUCH lower than for a
diesel system. So for light, infrequent use, propane could be the best
alternative...or not....

The above data can be used to compare fuel costs for alternative forms of
heating.


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