Energy Efficiency Comparison
by Bryan A. Thompson
Last Updated 2/12/03
Constants
Gasoline Cost $1.59 per gallon
Propane Cost $1.49 per gallon in bulk
Wood Cost $75.00 per cord of hickory
Propane Storage Cost $4.26 per gallon in 20lb bulk cylinders
Liquid Fuel Storage Cost $1.20 per gallon in 5 gallon cans
Device Rate of Fuel Consumption Rate of Consumption Units Operating Fuel Costs ($/hr) Operating Costs from Stored Fuel ($/hr) Energy Input (KWH) Energy Input (BTU) Energy Output (KWH) Energy Output (BTU) Energy Efficiency (%) Energy Cost ($/KWH Output) Energy Cost from Stored Fuel ($/KWH Output) Cost to Purchase Device ($) Energy Distribution Cost ($) Maintenance Costs ($/hr) Total Cost of Operation ($/hr) Notes
Generator + Gasoline 0.27500 Gallons/Hour $0.437 $0.767 10.0815 34407.84983 1.6 5460.750853 15.87065417 $0.0434 $0.4795 $1,000.00 $925.000 Unknown   Honda EU2000i with Eco-Throttle + Emergency Power Distribution System
Generator + Propane 0.30250 Gallons/Hour $0.451 $1.738 8.11305 27689.59044 1.6 5460.750853 19.72131319 $0.0555 $1.0860 $1,000.00 $925.000 Unknown   Honda EU2000i with Eco-Throttle + Emergency Power Distribution System
DayGlo Propane Heater on Low 0.04595 Gallons/Hour $0.068 $0.264 1.231186 4202 1.172 4000 95.19276535 $0.0556 $0.2252 $100.00 $50.000 Unknown   A bulk adapter and two hoses are included in distribution.        
Wood stove 0.00167 Cords/Hour $0.125 $0.125 14.65 50000 11.72 40000 80 $0.0085 $0.0107 $1,200.00 $0.000 Unknown   Hickory wood with moisture content less than 20%
Coleman Propane Stove 0.20792 Gallons/Hour $0.310 $1.194 5.576376 19032 4.688 16000 84.06893653 $0.0555 $0.2548 $40.00 $50.000 Unknown   A bulk adapter and two hoses are included in distribution.
Coleman Gasoline Stove 0.15625 Gallons/Hour $0.248 $0.436 5.6765625 19373.93345 6.153 21000 108.3930636 $0.0438 $0.0708 $50.00 $0.000 Unknown   Manufacturers specs are probably overly optimistic
Solar Panel (1 square meter) 0.00000 Watts/Hour $0.000 $0.000 1 3412.969283 0.10929 373.003413 0.10929 $0.0000 $0.0000 $552.00 $925.000 Unknown   Panels and Emergency Power Distribution System
Wind Turbine Unknown Watts/Hour $0.000 $0.000 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown $0.0000 $0.0000 Unknown $925.000 Unknown   Turbines and Emergency Power Distribution System
Micro Hydroelectric Turbine Unknown Watts/Hour $0.000 $0.000 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown 30 $0.0000 $0.0000 Unknown $925.000 Unknown   Turbines and Emergency Power Distribution System
Notes
Bold fields indicate information provided by manufacturer specifications, other fields are calculated
Energy Distribution costs are system (not per-device) costs for required materials for conversion to a usable form (an inverter), and distribution supplies such as extension cords, power strips, propane hoses and adapters, etc.  These costs do not include energy storage costs.
Operating costs from stored fuel have been included to help plan for energencies
Conversion Factors
Volume
1 gal = 0.00378541m^3
1 ft^3 =  0.02831685 m^3
1 m^3 = 35.3146 ft^3
1 gal = 0.133680 ft^3
Energy
1 cal = 4.186 J
1eV = 1.6E-19 J
1KWH = 3.6E6 J
1 BTU = 1.054E3 J
1 J = 1 W*sec
Power
1W = 1J/sec
1BTU = 3.412 Watt Hours
1 BTU/hr = 0.293W
1 BTU = .293 W*hr
1 BTU = Amount of heat needed to increase the temperature of 1 pint (=1lb) of water 1 degree Farenheit