Exactly how much propane does an rv furnace use?
You're probably asking how much propane does an rv furnace use due to the fact you've either just run out within the middle associated with a freezing night time or you're planning a trip and don't want to wake up up with icicles on your nasal area. It's one associated with those things a person don't really believe about when it's 75 degrees plus sunny, but mainly because soon as the mercury drops, the status of your propane tanks becomes the most important point in your life.
The brief answer is that will a typical RV furnace will use about one gallon associated with propane for every single three hours associated with continuous run time , assuming a standard 30, 000 BTU furnace. But since your furnace doesn't (and shouldn't) run constantly, it's not quite that will simple. Let's break down the mathematics and the real-life factors so a person don't turn out shivering in the black.
Doing the math on propane consumption
In order to get a deal with in your usage, a person have to go through the BTU (British Thermal Unit) rating of your furnace. Most RV furnaces fall somewhere between 20, 000 and 40, 000 BTUs. This number tells you how much temperature energy the furnace puts out—and as a result, how much energy it eats.
A single gallon of propane includes approximately 91, 500 BTUs .
If you have a 30, 000 BTU furnace plus it runs with regard to a full, strong hour without stopping, you've used regarding a third of a gallon of propane. If you have got a 20lb propane tank (the regular size you observe on many travel trailers), it holds about 4. 7 gallons of propane.
In the globe where your furnace runs 100% associated with the time, that will 20lb tank might be bone dry in about 14 or 15 hrs. Thankfully, your furnace usually cycles on and off, but on a truly sour night, that "non-stop" scenario isn't simply because far-fetched as you'd hope.
Exactly why the "duty cycle" may be the real secret
When people ask how much propane does an rv furnace use, they aren't generally asking for the particular laboratory math; they wish to know how many days they can remain in in a bad neighborhood. This is where the responsibility cycle is available in.
The duty cycle is usually just an elegant way of saying "how much of the particular time is the particular furnace actually burning fuel? " In case it's 50 degrees outside and you've got your temperature control system started 68, your own furnace might just kick on intended for ten minutes every hour. That's a low duty routine. In that case, a single 20lb container might last a person a week.
However, if it's 15 degrees outdoors and the wind flow is howling, that furnace might operate for 40 a few minutes out of every hour simply to maintain the rig at 65. Today your duty cycle is much higher, and you might find yourself switching over to your second tank in under two days.
Factors that make your furnace work harder
It's easy to forget that an RV is basically a giant aluminium or fiberglass package with very little between you and the components. Several factors will certainly drastically change how much fuel you're burning through.
Insulation (or the particular lack thereof)
Most RVs are made for summer camping out. Even "four-season" rigs often have R-values that could make the home builder giggle. If you have got thin walls and single-pane windows, warmth is escaping simply because fast as your own furnace can pump motor it in.
The dimension of your rig
It's fundamental physics: a 40-foot fifth wheel along with three slide-outs offers a lot even more air to heat than a 16-foot teardrop trailer. If you're inside a massive rig, your furnace will be likely 35, 500 or 40, 500 BTUs, and it's going to chew through propane much faster just in order to maintain a comfortable temperature in every these different zones.
Wind and moisture
Wind will be the enemy associated with RV warmth. It strips heat far from the exterior wall space and finds every single tiny gap within your door seals or slide-out mechanical seals. If you're slept in tents in a turbulent canyon, expect in order to use significantly even more propane than in case you're saved within a sheltered woodland.
How long will your specific tanks last?
Let's look in some common setups to give a person a better "boots upon the ground" concept of what to expect.
In the event that you have two 20lb tanks (common on smaller sized trailers): * Within mild weather (40s-50s at night): You can probably go 7 to 10 days. * In cold weather (30s at night): You're taking a look at maybe three or more to 4 days. * In extreme cold (below freezing): You might burn off via a tank every 24 to thirty six hours.
In the event that you have two 30lb tanks (common on mid-sized to large fifth wheels): * In mild weather: You've got about a couple weeks of comfort. * In cold weather: You'll likely get 5 to 7 days. * In extreme cold: You'll be heading to the propane refill place every 3 days.
Don't neglect the hidden price: battery power
Here's a little bit of "gotcha" that draws a lot of new RVers off guard. Even though your furnace utilizes propane for high temperature, it uses 12V DC electricity to run the particular blower fan. All those fans are amazingly power-hungry.
If you are boondocking (camping without hookups), you might in fact run out of battery power power before you go out associated with propane. If your battery dies, the furnace won't ignite plus the fan won't blow. So, when you're calculating how much propane does an rv furnace use, keep an eye on your battery levels as well. There's nothing worse than having a full tank of propane but no way to get it into the particular furnace.
Methods to cut straight down on propane use
If you're worried about running out of fuel or just tired associated with spending money at the propane station, it is possible to stretch your source.
- Electric powered Space Heaters: If you're at a campground with shore power, use it! Most people run a small ceramic heater in order to take the edge off. Since you're usually paying a flat fee with regard to the campsite, the electricity is "free" compared to the propane you have to proceed out and purchase.
- Rug and Curtains: Deposit area rugs on those cold laminate floors. Use heavy curtains or even Reflectix (that shiny bubble wrap stuff) in the windows at night time. Windows are the biggest way to obtain warmth loss in an RV.
- RV Skirting: If you're staying put intended for a while within the winter, skirting the bottom of your RV will be a game player. It stops the particular wind from throwing out under the rig, which keeps your flooring warmer and defends your plumbing.
- The "Sweater Method": It sounds obvious, yet setting the thermal to 62 instead of 72 may save you a massive amount of propane over the program of a week. Throw on a hoodie and use a down comforter from night.
The bottom line upon furnace fuel
So, when this comes down in order to it, how much propane does an rv furnace use? You should plan on using about 2 to 3 pounds associated with propane per evening within moderately chilly weather conditions. If you're planning into a "Polar Vortex" situation, dual that estimate.
The best issue you can do is to always start your trip with complete tanks and, when possible, carry a spare. Propane is actually cheap, but the particular peace of mind that comes with knowing you won't run away at 3 WAS is priceless. As soon as you've spent a few nights within the cold, you'll get a "feel" for your specific rig's appetite for fuel, and you'll become able to plan your refills just like a pro.
Just remember: keep those batteries charged, seal up individuals leaks, and probably pack an additional pair of wool socks just within case. Happy (and warm) trails!