Emergency Shelter Heating Calculator
Estimate propane, kerosene, or firewood needed to heat an emergency shelter.
Enter room size, insulation, and duration to plan your fuel supply.
Heating Fuel Required
Emergency Heating Calculation
Heat loss is calculated as:
BTU/hr = Room Volume (ft³) × Temperature Difference (°F) × Infiltration Factor
The infiltration factor accounts for insulation quality:
- Poor insulation (drafty cabin): 0.40
- Average insulation (typical home): 0.25
- Good insulation (modern construction): 0.15
Fuel energy content (usable, after efficiency losses):
- Propane: ~73,000 BTU/gallon (80% efficiency)
- Kerosene: ~121,500 BTU/gallon (90% efficiency)
- Firewood (hardwood): ~14,000,000 BTU/cord (70% efficiency)
Daily BTU need = BTU/hr × hours heated per day
This calculator assumes you heat the room continuously (24 hours). In practice, reduce heating at night with extra blankets to cut fuel use by 30-40%.
Safety note: Never use propane or kerosene heaters indoors without adequate ventilation. Carbon monoxide poisoning is the primary danger during power outages.