How Much Heat Can You Get From a Fuel Source?

The heat value of a fuel refers to the amount of heat released during combustion. This is also referred to as calorific or energy value and is a measure of fuel’s energy density. We use the British Thermal Unit (BTU) to measure the heat value of different fuels and energy sources

Have you ever wondered how much heat is produced by different fuel sources? Priority Rental is here to help! Learn the heating value of natural gas, propane, gasoline, oil, and more. Check out our fuel BTU chart below to see the conversions and compare.

Energy Content of Fuels & Conversions

The exact values will vary depending on the quality of the fuel and, in some cases, the pressure. Propane 1 gallon = 91,500 BTU 1 cubic foot = 2,500 BTU 1 pound = 21,500 BTU 4.24 lbs = 1 gallon 36.39 cubic feet = 1 gallon Natural Gas 1 cubic foot = 1,050 BTU Gasoline 1 pound = 19,000 BTU 1 gallon = 125,000 BTU 1 gallon = 6.1 lbs Oils 1 gallon kerosene = 135,000 BTU 1 gallon #2 oil = 138,500 BTU (Heating Oil) 1 gallon diesel = 139,200 BTU (Highway Diesel) 1 gallon #6 oil = 153,200 BTU Electric 1 kWH electricity = 3,413 BTU  Other Fuels (dry) 1 lb hydrogen = 51,892 BTU with steam as product 1 lb coal (anthracite) = 12,700 BTU 1 lb coal (subituminous) = 8,800 BTU 1 lb coal (bituminous) = 11,500 BTU 1 lb pine wood bark = 9,200 BTU 1 lb hardwood bark = 8,400 BTU 1 lb wood = 7,870 BTU 1 lb dung = 7,500 BTU 1 lb waste paper = 6,500 BTU 1 lb sawdust/shavings = 3,850 BTU 1 therm any fuel = 100,000 BTU

We hope our BTU chart gave you the information you needed about the energy content of your fuel.

At Priority Rental, you’ll find a variety of portable indirect, direct, and electric heaters to fit your unique needs. Contact us today for more information!