You're probably asking how much propane does an rv furnace use since you've either just run out in the middle of a freezing night or you're planning a trip and don't want to wake up up with icicles on your nose. It's one of those things a person don't really think about when it's 75 degrees plus sunny, but as soon as the particular mercury drops, the status of your propane tanks becomes the most important thing in your life.
The short answer is that will a typical RV furnace will use about one gallon of propane for every three hours associated with continuous run time , assuming a standard 30, 500 BTU furnace. But since your furnace doesn't (and shouldn't) run constantly, it's not quite that will simple. Let's break up down the math and the actual factors so you don't find yourself shivering in the dark.
Doing the math on propane consumption
In order to get a deal with on the usage, you have to look at the BTU (British Thermal Unit) rating of the furnace. Most RV furnaces fall approximately 20, 000 and 40, 000 BTUs. This number informs you how much high temperature energy the furnace puts out—and therefore, how much gas it eats.
A single one gallon of propane includes approximately 91, 500 BTUs .
If you have a 30, 000 BTU furnace also it runs with regard to a full, strong hour without stopping, you've used regarding a third of the gallon of propane. If you possess a 20lb propane tank (the regular size you observe upon many travel trailers), it holds regarding 4. 7 gallons of propane.
Inside an entire world where your furnace runs 100% of the time, that 20lb tank would be bone dried out in about 14 or 15 hours. Thankfully, your furnace usually cycles upon and off, yet on a truly sour night, that "non-stop" scenario isn't as far-fetched as you'd hope.
Why the "duty cycle" may be the real key
When people ask how much propane does an rv furnace use, they aren't usually asking for the particular laboratory math; they wish to know how many days they can stay in the woods. This particular is where the responsibility cycle is available in.
The duty cycle is definitely just an elegant method of saying "how much of the time is the furnace actually burning fuel? " In the event that it's 50 degrees outside and you've got your thermostat set to 68, your own furnace might only kick on for ten minutes each hour. That's a low duty period. In that case, just one 20lb tank might last a person a week.
However, if it's 15 degrees outdoors and the blowing wind is howling, that will furnace might operate for 40 a few minutes from every hour simply to keep the rig at 65. Right now your duty routine is much increased, and you might find yourself switching to your second tank in under two times.
Factors that make your furnace work harder
It's easy in order to forget that an RV is essentially a giant aluminium or fiberglass box with very small in your way on the path to the components. Several factors will drastically change how much fuel you're burning through.
Insulation (or the particular lack thereof)
Most RVs are built for summer camping. Even "four-season" rigs often have R-values that will make the home builder have a good laugh. If you possess thin walls plus single-pane windows, warmth is escaping as fast as your furnace can push it in.
The dimension of your rig
It's simple physics: a 40-foot fifth wheel along with three slide-outs provides a lot more air to warmth than the usual 16-foot teardrop trailer. If you're in a massive rig, your furnace is definitely likely 35, 500 or 40, 000 BTUs, and it's going to gnaw through propane much faster just to maintain a comfy temperature in most all those different zones.
Wind and moisture
Wind is the enemy of RV warmth. It strips heat far from the exterior wall space and finds each tiny gap within your door closes or slide-out gaskets. If you're slept in tents in a windy canyon, expect to use significantly more propane than in the event that you're saved in a sheltered woodland.
How very long will your specific tanks last?
Let's look with some common setups to give you a better "boots upon the ground" idea of what to expect.
In the event that you have two 20lb tanks (common on smaller trailers): * In mild weather (40s-50s at night): You can probably go 7 to 10 days. * In cold weather (30s at night): You're looking at maybe several to 4 times. * In severe cold (below freezing): You might burn off by way of a tank every single 24 to 36 hours.
In case 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 climate: You'll likely get 5 to seven days. * In extreme cold: You'll be heading to the particular propane refill train station every 3 times.
Don't neglect the hidden price: battery power
Here's a very little "gotcha" that draws a lot of new RVers away guard. Even even though your furnace utilizes propane for temperature, it uses 12V DC electricity to run the particular blower fan. All those fans are surprisingly power-hungry.
If you are boondocking (camping without hookups), you might really run out of battery pack power before you go out associated with propane. In case your battery pack dies, the furnace won't ignite plus the fan won't blow. So, whenever you're calculating how much propane does an rv furnace use, keep an eye on your battery levels too. There's nothing even worse than having a full tank associated with propane but simply no way to obtain it into the particular furnace.
Ways to cut down on propane utilization
If you're worried about working out of gasoline or simply tired associated with spending money in the propane station, it is possible to stretch your supply.
- Electric powered Space Heaters: If you're at a campground with shore power, use it! Many people operate a small ceramic heater in order to take the advantage off. Since you're usually paying the flat fee for the campsite, the electricity is "free" compared to the particular propane you have to proceed out and purchase.
- Area rug and Curtains: Pay area rugs on those frosty laminate floors. Use heavy curtains or even even Reflectix (that shiny bubble wrap stuff) in the windows at evening. Windows are the biggest source of warmth loss in an RV.
- RV Skirting: If you're staying put intended for a while in the winter, skirting the bottom of your RV is definitely a game player. It stops the particular wind from throwing out under the rig, which will keep your floors warmer and protects your plumbing.
- The "Sweater Method": This might sound obvious, but setting the thermal to 62 rather of 72 can save you the massive quantity of propane over the training course of a week. Toss on a hoodie and use the down comforter from night.
The bottom line on furnace fuel
So, when this comes down 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 in moderately chilly weather. If you're heading into a "Polar Vortex" situation, dual that estimate.
The best factor you can do is to always start your trip with full tanks and, if possible, carry the spare. Propane is relatively cheap, but the reassurance that comes with knowing you won't run away at 3 AM 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 gas, and you'll become able to program your refills just like a pro.
Just remember: maintain those batteries billed, seal up these leaks, and probably pack an additional pair of made of wool socks just within case. Happy (and warm) trails!