The propane consumption calculator estimates how many days your RV propane tank will last based on your furnace, water heater, stove, and refrigerator usage. Essential for planning boondocking trips without running out of heat.
Tank & Usage Settings
Daily Appliance Usage
How to Use the Propane Consumption Calculator
The propane consumption calculator helps you plan boondocking trips by showing exactly how long your propane will last with your specific appliance usage. Adjust appliance usage to model conservation strategies.
Step 1: Estimate furnace runtime accurately
Furnace use varies enormously by temperature and thermostat setting. In 40°F weather with a 68°F thermostat, a furnace might run 6–10 hours/day. In 60°F weather at 65°F, it might run only 1–2 hours. The furnace is usually the biggest propane consumer — adjusting it dramatically changes your duration estimate.
Step 2: Check whether your fridge uses propane
Absorption fridges (older RVs) use significant propane constantly. Modern compressor refrigerators use 12V only. Check your fridge model — if it shows "2-way" or "3-way" on the dial, it's an absorption fridge using propane off-grid. Upgrading to a 12V compressor fridge can extend boondocking duration by 20–40%.
Step 3: Model your worst-case scenario
Set the calculator to cold-night usage (furnace running 8+ hours) and check your duration. That's your planning minimum. If the result is too short, increase tank size, add a second tank, or plan to resupply propane mid-trip. Propane is widely available at Walmart, truck stops, and camping stores for about $3–4/gallon.
FAQ
Is this propane calculator free?
Yes, completely free. All calculations run locally with no data transmitted.
How many BTUs are in a gallon of propane?
One gallon of propane contains approximately 91,500 BTU. A standard 20-pound propane tank holds about 4.7 gallons (430,000 BTU total). A 30-pound tank holds about 7 gallons (640,000 BTU). A 100-pound tank holds about 23.6 gallons (2.16 million BTU).
How much propane does an RV furnace use?
A typical RV furnace (30,000–40,000 BTU/hr) running at 50% duty cycle uses about 0.18–0.25 gallons per hour. In cold weather (32°F), a furnace might run 8–10 hours per day on a 20-lb tank, consuming nearly the entire tank in one cold night if set high.
How much propane does an RV water heater use?
A 6-gallon RV water heater (10,000 BTU) uses about 0.11 gallons/hour to heat from cold but cycles off once heated. Typical daily usage for showers is 0.05–0.15 gallons/day depending on recovery frequency. Instant-on water heaters are more efficient for intermittent use.
Does my RV refrigerator use propane?
Absorption refrigerators (2-way/3-way) use propane when not connected to shore power — typically 1,500–3,000 BTU/hour. A 2-way fridge running on propane uses 0.4–0.8 gallons/day. This is often the biggest propane consumer when boondocking in moderate temperatures. Compressor fridges (12V only) don't use propane.
How can I extend my propane supply while boondocking?
Use solar power to run 12V appliances (fan, lights, devices) and keep the furnace thermostat lower (use blankets). Switch to a 12V compressor refrigerator to eliminate the fridge's propane use. Use an instant-pot for cooking instead of stove burners (uses far less propane). These changes can 3-4x your propane duration.