Natural Gas Consumption?
I earlier posted a question regarding propane consumption for a 225,000 BTU heater. Now I am considering converting the system to natural gas since I have access to Natural Gas. So what would be the consumption rate of natural gas on this heater per hour, assuming the heater actually runs constant. How many hours would it take me to burn through 1,000 MCF. What would the equivalence of propane be of 1,000 MCF so I can compare prices?
Thanks!
Update:Propane Guy, the cost here is $2.38 per gallon for LP. Natural Gas according to the last bill is: $9.15. Per MCF. I'm trying to figure out how much fuel on average this heater will cost me based on the assumption it will run 7 days per week at night . I'm assuming an average run time of six hours per night for the first three weeks.....anyway if the heater is run 7 days per week, everyday for an average of 6 hours for two months what would my estimate fuel consumption be and price tag be daily and the final total.
Comments
These are a lot different volumes than your previous question...
There is about 1025 btu's in a cubic foot of NG and about 90,000 btu's in a gallon of liquid propane.
So...225,000 ÷ 1025 = 219.5
Therefore every hour you will use 219.5 ft³ of NG
and 225,000 ÷ 90,000 (btu's per gallon) = 2.5 gallons of propane
Let's make this as simple as possible...
Tell me what the cost of propane per gallon is where you live and the cost of Natural Gas per ft³. I can work out the equivelant cost very quickly. I have been in propane sales for 23 years and can give you an accurate cost comparison pretty quickly. I can even tell you the equivelant in oil or electric if you want.
If you have NG in your area, it is probably cheaper to go that route. But it depends on you getting a FACTORY conversion kit to set the appliance up for NG.
EDIT:
For every dollar you would spend on propane you will only spend $0.34 on NG for the equivelant amount of heat. So the only thing now is...Can you get a LP to NG conversion kit from the manufacturer of the heater? You have to use a factory conversion kit or else the appliance will no longer be "certified" for use. If you try and convert it by just changing orifices etc, you will be using it in a manner "other than which it was intended". If there was a fire or anyone hurt by it, the manufacturer would take no responsibility because you have "altered" the appliance. Insurance companies would deny claims as well. So it is vital that the heater only be converted using a kit from the manufacturer.
As far as consumption...
220 ft³ of NG per hour times 6 hours is 1320 ft³ per night.
2.5 gallons of propane per hour times 6 hours is 15 gallons per night.
So... Every night you would use
Propane: 15 gallons X $2.38 per gallon = $35.70
Natural Gas: 1320 ft X $0.0091 per ft³ (1 MCF is 1000 ft³) = $12.01
Over two months
Propane: 60 X $35.70 = $2142.00
Natural Gas: 60 X $12.01 = $720.60
So as long as it doesn't cost you more than about $1400 to convert the appliance and put in your natural gas service it's a pretty easy decision!
I hope this helps! Good luck with it!