Cost difference of propane vs electricity
Wish to find out which might be cheaper to operate when outside temps are the same. Electricity cost at .17c per KW. Hot water heater, (Atwood 10 gal. GC 10A-4E) is on only when needed, can be used ...
Forum Discussion
Dutchstar02 wrote:
A gallon of propane is equal to 26.85 kilowatt hours.
At $0.17/kWh X 26.85 = $4.56 per gallon of propane
So as long as your propane costs less than $4.56/gallon it is cheaper to run on propane than electric.
I used strictly electric for a week and used about $18 of electric. I then switched the fridge and hot water heater to propane for a week and used less than $5 of electricity for everything else in the motorhome. The amount of propane used was about 2 gallons.
So the cost for the second week was 2 X $3.10 (propane in Yuma) = $6.20 + $5 = $11.20 VS $18 (that's per week). $27.20/month
You have to take into consideration how easy it is to get your propane refilled. We have a local company that delivers for the $3.10 per gallon used in the calculation. It's not a big difference but the fridge runs cooler and the water is hotter on propane.
You made the assumption that the propane furnace/water heater/fridge are 100% efficient - -which they aren't. Assume that, if lucky, you'll get 75% efficiency and then recalculate.
Barb
