RV Heating Cost Calculator: propane, diesel or electric – what does heating cost?
20 kWh of heat a day – typical for a cold winter day in an RV – costs about $4 with propane from a 20 lb tank at $22, about $2.50 with a diesel heater at $3.60/gal and about $3.40 with shore power at $0.17/kWh. This calculator compares the three energy sources for your heat demand and your prices.
Result
Heating cost with Propane for 7 days
$29.31
$4.19 per day, 26.6 lb in total
- Heat demand per day
- 20 kWh
- Propane per day
- $4.19
- 3.81 lb
- Diesel heater per day
- $2.26
- 0.63 gal
- Electric (shore power) per day
- $3.40
- 20 kWh
- Prices are example values. Propane prices vary a lot (exchange vs. refill, region); campground electricity prices are often well above residential rates.
- With Diesel heater, heating would be cheaper at these prices ($2.26 instead of $4.19 per day) – provided the equipment is available.
Show calculation
- 1Heat demand: 4 kW × 5 h = 20 kWh/day
- 2Propane: 20 kWh ÷ 90% ÷ 5.84 kWh/lb = 3.81 lb/day × $1.10/lb = $4.19
- 3Diesel: 20 kWh ÷ 85% ÷ 37.5 kWh/gal = 0.63 gal/day × $0.25 = $2.26
- 4Electric: 20 kWh × $0.17 = $3.40
- 5Total (Propane): $4.19 × 7 days = $29.31
How it's calculated
Heat demand [kWh/day] = heat output [kW] × burner running time [h]
Energy demand = heat demand ÷ efficiency
Propane [kg] = energy ÷ 12.87 kWh/kg Diesel [L] = energy ÷ 9.9 kWh/L Electricity [kWh] = energyCosts are quantity × price. For propane the price per pound (or kilogram) counts – i.e. tank price divided by fill weight. All three options are calculated for the same heat demand so the comparison is fair.
| Energy source | Energy content | Typical efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Propane (tank) | 12.87 kWh/kg (21,600 BTU/lb) | 88–97% (forced-air furnace) |
| Diesel | about 9.9 kWh/L (37.5 kWh/gal) | 80–90% (diesel heater) |
| Electricity | 1 kWh/kWh | 100% (heating element/space heater) |
Worked example
A week of winter camping: the 6 kW (20,500 BTU/h) propane furnace runs effectively 4 hours a day at full output (24 kWh). Propane tank 20 lb for $22, diesel $3.60/gal, campground electricity $0.17/kWh.
Inputs
- Specify heat demand as: Heat output × burner running time
- Heat output: 6 kW
- Burner running time per day: 4 h
- Heating days: 7 days
- Your heater: Propane
- Price per propane tank (refill/exchange): 22 $
- Fill weight of the tank: 20 lb
- Diesel price: 3.6 $/gal
- Campground electricity price: 0.17 $/kWh
- Propane furnace efficiency: 90 %
- Diesel heater efficiency: 85 %
Result
$35.18
Heating cost with Propane for 7 days
- Heat demand per day
- 24 kWh
- Propane per day
- $5.03
- Diesel heater per day
- $2.71
- Electric (shore power) per day
- $4.08
Calculation
- Heat demand: 6 kW × 4 h = 24 kWh/day
- Propane: 24 kWh ÷ 90% ÷ 5.84 kWh/lb = 4.57 lb/day × $1.10/lb = $5.03
- Diesel: 24 kWh ÷ 85% ÷ 37.5 kWh/gal = 0.75 gal/day × $0.25 = $2.71
- Electric: 24 kWh × $0.17 = $4.08
- Total (Propane): $5.03 × 7 days = $35.18
The variables explained
- Heat output (kW)
- Rated heat output of the furnace; 1 kW = 3,412 BTU/h.
- Burner running time (h/day)
- Actual running time at full output. For modulating furnaces convert accordingly (half output = half the time).
- Efficiency (%)
- Share of the fuel energy that reaches the interior as heat.
- Prices
- Tank price (exchange/refill), diesel price, campground electricity price – replace the example values in the calculator.
Common mistakes
- Using the residential electricity price: campgrounds often charge more per kWh or a flat rate.
- Calculating a diesel heater with propane efficiency: air heaters are usually a bit lower, but you skip hauling tanks.
- Planning electricity as the sole solution: a 30 A pedestal limits everything to 3.6 kW – often not enough in a hard freeze, and a 15 A household outlet to just 1.8 kW.
Assumptions and limits
- Heating values: propane 12.87 kWh/kg, diesel 9.9 kWh/L.
- Efficiencies as default values; manufacturer data takes precedence.
- Purchase and maintenance costs of the heating systems are not included.