1. What is an Oil Furnace BTU Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the BTU output of an oil furnace based on its fuel consumption rate.

Purpose: It helps homeowners and HVAC professionals determine the heating capacity of oil-fired furnaces.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( BTU \) — British Thermal Units per hour (BTU/h)
• \( Oil\ Consumption \) — Fuel consumption rate (gallons per hour)

Explanation: Each gallon of heating oil contains approximately 140,000 BTU of potential energy.

3. Importance of BTU Calculation

Details: Knowing your furnace's BTU output helps with system sizing, efficiency analysis, and fuel cost estimation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the oil consumption rate in gallons per hour (gal/h). The value must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Where can I find my furnace's oil consumption rate?
A: Check your furnace specifications or measure fuel usage over a known time period during operation.

Q2: Why 140,000 BTU per gallon?
A: This is the standard energy content of No. 2 heating oil, though it can vary slightly (138,500-142,000 BTU/gal).

Q3: How does this relate to furnace efficiency?
A: The result shows potential BTU output. Actual heat delivered depends on furnace efficiency (typically 80-95% for modern units).

Q4: What's a typical BTU output for residential oil furnaces?
A: Most range between 80,000-150,000 BTU/h, with larger homes requiring up to 200,000 BTU/h.

Q5: How can I convert this to other units?
A: 1 BTU/h ≈ 0.293 watts. For annual usage, multiply by operating hours.