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figuring different fuel costs

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J.T.
J.T. Member Posts: 16
in THE MAIN WALL
Does anyone know the formulas for calculating different fuel costs based on X btu/hr, given that the equipment is the same efficiency? (i.e. 80% boiler running nat. vs. propane or oil)

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  • Paul Rohrs_2
    Paul Rohrs_2 Member Posts: 171
    Can you give me more specifics?.....

    HDS software from HydronicPro's has a great module to calculate this. This is one example when I plug in 100,000 BTU's and the degree days from Lincoln,NE.

    Regards,

    PR
  • J.T.
    J.T. Member Posts: 16


    exactly! Except you can do it without a program if you know the formula, which is what I need.
  • Steve_35
    Steve_35 Member Posts: 545


    Do you want to calculate the cost per hour, season or just the relative costs of different fuels?

    The relative cost per 100,000 delivered btu is calculated with this formula:

    Cost per unit of fuel x 100,000 divided by
    BTU per unit of fuel x Efficiency
  • JimGPE_3
    JimGPE_3 Member Posts: 240
    Does this help?

  • JimGPE_3
    JimGPE_3 Member Posts: 240
    Does this help?

  • J.T.
    J.T. Member Posts: 16


    That's it, thanks. I need to write that one in my "Golden rules" handbook.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 2


    Could someone please throw in the formula for annual btu consumption for a given design loss for the local average degree days?
  • michael_15
    michael_15 Member Posts: 231
    Fuel costs and capacities

    Roughly speaking (before efficiency losses):

    1 Therm = 100,000 BTU

    1 Gallon #2 Oil = 139,000 BTU

    1 Gallon Propane = 92,000 BTU

    1 kilowatt-hour = 3,412 BTU


    I pay roughly this much for each of these, though perhaps I'm getting ripped off.

    Therm = $1.50
    Gallon of oil = $2.00
    Gallon of propane = beats me. I don't get propane.
    Kilowatt-hour = $0.15

    Which leads to the conclusion that electric heating is darn expensive. Heck, all heating is expensive.

    -Michael
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