BTU requirement for propane heater

[LaFever]

Hi!

We are trying to figure out how many BTUs we need for a propane heater in our bus - we'll be living in a cold climate, but the various online BTU calculators have given us different answers, ranging from 8,000 to 30,000 BTUs. Clearly don't want to spend a fortune on a 30k BTU heater, but also don't want to skimp and end up freezing solid with an 8k BTU heater!

Anyone out there living in the cold north and using a propane furnace? Advice? Experience?

[superdave]

Originally Posted by LaFever

Hi!

We are trying to figure out how many BTUs we need for a propane heater in our bus - we'll be living in a cold climate, but the various online BTU calculators have given us different answers, ranging from 8,000 to 30,000 BTUs. Clearly don't want to spend a fortune on a 30k BTU heater, but also don't want to skimp and end up freezing solid with an 8k BTU heater!

Anyone out there living in the cold north and using a propane furnace? Advice? Experience?

depends on your bus, did you strip the metal out and spray foam? 15
' bus or 40'? got all the glass or did you cover over half of them? for safety sake get a direct vent model.
12v Propex Heatsource HS2000 Blown Air Heater, MOTORHOME CAMPER BOAT CARAVAN GAS | eBay
Dickinson Newport Propane Direct Vent Heaters 00-NEW-P9000 | eBay
Dickinson Newport Diesel Fuel Heater p/n 00-NEW | eBay

[turf]

here is a nice calculator for figuring out your heat loss.

Home Heat Loss Calculator

it was a bit complex, but once i got it figured out it was pretty easy, if you need help i'll be glad to assist.

however, all the time i spent on that last calculator can be simplified by an industry rule of thumb.

in general, you'll need about 1000 BTUs per foot of length of RV. so if you have a 40' bus, you'll want a 40K BTU furnace.

good luck

[LaFever]

Thanks, superdave. Our bus is 34 feet (26 interior), all windows are the original and not covered. We have some wall insulation and floor insulation, and the ceiling is just the insulation that came in the bus. We've been looking at Rinnai (11,000 BTUs) and a Williams (17,700 BTUs) that are both direct vent. We plan on having a wood stove as well, but want a propane option with thermostat to keep the bus slightly warm when we are gone during the day or overnight.

[LaFever]

Thanks, turf, I'll try out that calculator!