How Much Propane Does It Take To Heat A 2000 Square Foot Home?
Propane is a readily available fuel source that generally stays at a consistent price. That is why countless homeowners use it to heat their home no matter what size it is. So, how much propane does it take to heat a 2,000 square foot home?
It takes an average of 800 gallons of propane per year to heat a 2,000 square foot home. A 2,000 square foot home generally requires 73 gallons of propane per month for heating. Old furnaces go through 2.67 gallons of propane per day to produce heat during the fall and winter.
You need a 500-gallon propane tank to heat a 2,000 square foot home if you have a propane furnace. Costs vary based on your propane consumption and how old your furnace is. Follow along as we explore how much propane it takes to heat a 2,000 square foot home.
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How Much Propane Does It Take To Heat A 2,000 Square Foot Home?
It takes 2.67 gallons of propane per day to heat a 2,000 square foot home on average. Homeowners generally go through 800 gallons of propane per year to heat a 2,000 square foot home. Propane usage varies based on the climate and how often you run the furnace.
Furnaces go through more propane than other appliances, and that ultimately determines how much you need. Homeowners that live in a cold climate go through an average of 73 gallons of propane per month. You can expect to go through 2 million BTUs of propane per year to heat a 2,000 square foot home in a cold climate.
Cost to Heat a 2,000 Sq. Ft. House
It costs between $70 and $80 per month to heat a 2,000 square foot home with propane. The average homeowner spends $900 per year or more to heat a 2,000 square foot house. Costs vary based on how many appliances you have that use propane.
The biggest cost factor is how often you run your furnace. Homeowners in the Midwest or east coast are more likely to spend close to $1,000 on propane to heat a 2,000 square foot home. Factors such as insulation and what materials your house are made of can determine how much you spend on propane.
Modern propane furnaces are more cost-effective than old units. Propane furnaces can last up to 20 years, but their performance can drop after 15 years.
Cost of Propane
Propane costs an average of $2.37 per gallon and varies based on where you live. It can cost up to $4 per gallon to refill an existing propane tank, however. The average homeowner can spend up to $3,500 per year on propane itself to heat a 2,000 square foot house.
This cost doesn’t include the energy that it takes to run a furnace. Luckily, the price of propane is generally stable and it is uncommon for the cost to fluctuate throughout the year.
What Size Propane Tank for Furnace?
You need a 500-gallon propane tank for a furnace if you have a 2,000 square foot home. It is possible to use a 1,000-gallon propane tank for a 2,000 square foot home, but that is best suited for larger homes. Propane tanks that are larger than 500 gallons require plenty of space, and you won’t likely be able to fit a 1,000-gallon tank.
Homeowners only need to refill a 500-gallon propane tank once or twice per year for a 2,000 square foot home. However, a 1,000-gallon propane tank may be ideal if you go through lots of propane and have the space for it. Furnaces are generally found in tight places so it can be difficult to find room for large tanks.
The Factors That Determine Your Home’s Heating Needs
As we already referenced above, there are several factors that can affect your 2000 square foot home’s heating needs. Let’s take the time to discuss some of them in this section.
The Heating Appliances Used
Your propane usage will be affected greatly by the appliances you use. Furnaces are the ones that consume the most fuel. They consume about 2.67 gallons of propane per day.
Many folks with 2000 square foot homes use furnaces because other appliances may be insufficient. The furnace does a great job of filling in every corner of the home. Fireplaces are reasonable alternatives to furnaces if you want to cut down on your home’s propane consumption. They only use about half a gallon per day. Fireplaces may not provide enough warmth for everyone inside your home, however.
The water heater is another frequent consumer of propane during the fall and winter seasons. Water heaters consume about two-thirds of a gallon of propane daily.
The Current Condition of Your Home
The condition of your home is going to impact your propane consumption. Damage to your walls and windows may be allowing small amounts of heat to escape. Inadequate insulation may also be making it tougher for your home to reach and/or maintain the target temperature.
Consider making some overdue repairs if you don’t want your propane expenses to skyrocket once fall rolls around. You’ll probably still need your heating appliances working regularly, but anything that regulates indoor temperature is welcome.
Your Family’s Tolerance for the Cold
People have varying levels of tolerance for cold temperatures. Some can endure the cold temperatures fairly well while others find it hard to get comfortable without turning on some heat.
You can probably save some of the propane by gathering in one room and using the fireplace more. Still, the more voracious furnace will likely be needed for most of the day.
Where Should You Place Your Propane Tank?
Homeowners have two options when it comes to propane tank placement. They can either have it installed underground or keep it above ground.
The benefits of installing a propane tank underground are very clear. Underground tanks don’t take up space on your property or affect your landscape architecture. Tanks installed underground also pose less of a safety hazard because potential leaks can be contained better.
The one big drawback to installing a propane tank underground is the cost. The tanks themselves are more expensive than their above-ground counterparts. Add to that the cost of installation and the expenses can soar very quickly.
Above ground propane tanks are significantly less expensive. You will have to make more compromises if you want an above ground tank on your property. Even so, the savings cannot be ignored.
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Related Questions
What Are Ways to Cut Down on Propane Usage?
Reducing the amount of propane you use yearly is possible. There are different ways to pull that off. Start by making long-overdue repairs to your walls and windows. Work on the insulation too. Completing those tasks can improve your home’s heat retention capabilities.You should also pay close attention to the heating equipment you’re using. Clean their filters and get them serviced regularly to ensure they are working at full capacity throughout the year. Updating your thermostat and other heating appliances also makes a lot of sense.Homeowners should also look around before purchasing their propane. The prices aren’t always the same between the many propane providers. You could end up saving quite a bit of money by looking around first.
Is Heating Your Home with Propane the Most Cost-Effective Option?
Compared to natural gas and electricity, you can definitely argue that propane is the most effective option for heating. Propane is more expensive than natural gas, but it also produces more power. For the most part, electricity also costs more than propane for heating and it doesn’t even offer greater efficiency.
Summing It Up
It takes 800 gallons of propane per year on average to heat a 2,000 square foot home. Homeowners go through 73 gallons of propane each month to heat a 2,000 square foot home consistently. You will likely go through 2.67 gallons of propane per day when you run your furnace for a 2,000 square foot home.
Expect to spend $2.37 per gallon of propane to heat your home. The propane itself will likely cost $3,500 per year before the energy costs to run a furnace. It costs an average of $75 per month to heat a 2,000 square foot home with propane.
Gary Evans is passionate about home improvement. He loves finding out how to make improvements in the easiest, most practical, and most affordable ways. Upgrading his home kitchen is one of his ongoing hobbies. Gary is also a long-time content creator and enjoys spending his free time tending to his hydroponic vegetable garden.
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