60,000 BTU/hr load, 4 hrs/day, 30 days, $3.50/gal
- Daily BTU = 240,000
- Gallons/day ≈ 2.62
- Gallons/month ≈ 78.7
- Cost/month ≈ $275.45
construction calculator
Propane Usage Calculator
Estimate propane gallons and cost from appliance BTU load, daily hours, and price per gallon.
Results
- Daily BTU
- 240000.00 BTU
- Monthly BTU
- 7200000.00 BTU
- Gallons per day
- 2.62
- Gallons per month
- 78.69
- Cost per day
- $9
- Cost per month
- $275
How to use this calculator
- Add up the BTU/hr of appliances that run together.
- Enter average hours per day and days per month.
- Enter price per gallon to see daily/monthly gallons and cost.
Inputs explained
- Total BTU per hour
- Sum the BTU/hr for furnaces, water heaters, stoves, dryers, etc. you expect to run.
- Hours per day
- Average runtime per day of the combined load (not per appliance if summed).
- Days per month
- Number of days you expect this usage pattern.
- Price per gallon
- Your supplier’s current rate per gallon of propane.
How it works
Daily BTU = Combined BTU/hr × hours per day. Monthly BTU multiplies by days used.
Gallons = BTU ÷ 91,500 (energy per gallon of propane). Cost multiplies gallons by your price.
Formula
Daily BTU = BTU/hr × Hours per day Monthly BTU = Daily BTU × Days per month Gallons = BTU ÷ 91,500 Cost = Gallons × Price per gallon
When to use it
- Estimating winter propane deliveries for heating and hot water.
- Budgeting propane cost for generators, grills, or shop heaters.
- Checking if a tank size will last through a trip or project.
Tips & cautions
- If appliances run separately, calculate each load or use a lower combined BTU/hr to avoid overestimating.
- Usage spikes (cold snaps, long generator runs) will increase gallons—add buffer for critical needs.
- Propane energy content varies slightly; 91,500 BTU/gal is a common average.
- Assumes steady BTU draw; modulating burners or cycling appliances can lower actual usage.
- Does not include tank efficiency losses or line losses.
- Price per gallon can change; update with your latest rate.
Worked examples
25,000 BTU/hr garage heater, 2 hrs/day, 20 days, $3.00/gal
- Daily BTU = 50,000
- Gallons/day ≈ 0.55
- Gallons/month ≈ 11.0
- Cost/month ≈ $33.00
Deep dive
This propane usage calculator converts total BTU load, hours per day, and price per gallon into gallons burned and daily/monthly cost.
Use it to plan winter deliveries, generator fuel, or shop heating budgets with a quick, BTU-based estimate.
FAQs
- How do I find BTU/hr for my appliances?
- Check the nameplate or manual. Furnaces, water heaters, dryers, and grills list BTU/hr ratings.
- What if appliances don’t run at the same time?
- Use the load that runs together or calculate separately and add the gallons for your situation.
- Does this include tank efficiency?
- No. It uses fuel energy content only. Delivery, line, or burner efficiency losses are not included.
- Will price changes affect this?
- Yes—update price per gallon with your current supplier rate for accurate cost estimates.
- Propane vs natural gas?
- This calculator is for propane (≈91,500 BTU/gal). Natural gas is often billed per therm (100k BTU).
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