Kerosene Heater Cost Calculator
| Kerosene price per gallon | 10,000 BTU heater | 23,000 BTU heater |
|---|---|---|
| $4.50 | $0.33 per hour | $0.77 per hour |
| $5.00 | $0.37 per hour | $0.85 per hour |
| $5.50 | $0.41 per hour | $0.94 per hour |
| $6.00 | $0.44 per hour | $1.02 per hour |
Pick the heater size, the local kerosene price and how many hours the evening runs. The calculator prices the hour, the evening and the gallon in hours of heat.
Kerosene heat is backup heat - storm nights, garage shifts, the room the furnace never reaches. The math is honest and simple: a gallon of kerosene carries about 135,000 BTU, so a small heater stretches a gallon past thirteen hours while the big one drinks it in under six. What the calculator adds is the price tag on your exact evening.
How to use
- Read the heater rating - portable kerosene units run 10,000 BTU for a room up to 23,000 for a big space.
- Kerosene is sold by the gallon at hardware and fuel dealers; prices move with the heating season.
- Set your evening hours and read the gallon clock - the siphon pump and the outdoor filling rule are part of the routine.
Frequently asked questions
How long will a gallon of kerosene burn in a heater?
About 13 and a half hours on a 10,000 BTU unit, under 6 on a 23,000 BTU heater at full output - most evenings land between two readings because modern units cycle the wick down. The calculator shows your gallon clock at your setting.
How much does it cost to run a kerosene heater per hour?
Roughly 35 cents to a dollar an hour depending on heater size and the local gallon price - the table above is the full ladder. One storm-week evening on the big heater runs about five dollars of fuel.
What kind of kerosene should I use?
Clear 1-K kerosene only: it is the low-sulfur grade the wicks and the air are designed for. Colored or blended fuel - never gasoline - fouls the wick, doubles the odor and is the classic how-my-heater-got-ruined story.
Are kerosene heaters safe indoors?
They are legal and common, with rules: unvented models consume room oxygen and put combustion products in the air, so every safety guide says run a window cracked, keep a CO alarm in the room, and never refuel a hot heater - fill it outdoors.
Why does my kerosene heater smell?
A running-in period is normal, but persistent odor usually means the wick sits too high, the fuel is low-grade, or the unit needs its wick trimmed and cleaned - about a dollar of maintenance decides whether the neighbors smell your heat.