Propane Garage Heater Running Cost
See exactly what a propane garage heater costs per hour, day and month at current US propane prices.
A 30,000 BTU/hr propane garage heater costs roughly $1.05/hour, $4.18/day (4 hrs), and $125/month (4 hrs/day, 30 days) at the US average propane price of $2.55/gallon — EIA heating-season average, Oct 2025–Mar 2026 — with an 80%-efficient vented unit heater.
Calculate Propane Garage Heater Cost
Propane Garage Heater Cost by BTU
| BTU | Cost/Hour | Cost/Day (4 hrs) | Cost/Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20,000 BTU | $0.70 | $2.79 | $83.61 |
| 30,000 BTU | $1.05 | $4.18 | $125.41 |
| 45,000 BTU | $1.57 | $6.27 | $188.11 |
| 60,000 BTU | $2.09 | $8.36 | $250.82 |
Propane $2.55/gal (EIA State Heating Oil and Propane Program (weekly) — heating-season average, October 2025 - March 2026; the series pauses April–September and has published nothing since 30 March 2026). Vented unit heater at 80% efficiency, 91,500 BTU per gallon, 4 hrs/day for 30 days. BTU figures are heat delivered into the garage.
Is Propane Heat Worth It for a Garage?
Propane is the practical choice for a detached garage with no natural gas line. At $2.55/gal and 30,000 BTU/hr, expect around $125/month running 4 hours a day — about 36% less than an electric resistance heater delivering the same heat (about $195/month at 18.44¢/kWh), and about 1.9 times what natural gas would cost if a line reached the garage. Compare both options with our propane vs electric cost calculator.
A 30,000 BTU/hr vented heater at 80% efficiency burns about 0.41 gallons an hour. Propane is a delivered fuel, so what you actually pay depends on your region, your delivery volume and whether you are on a contract or spot price — the figure above is the EIA national heating-season average, not a quote. Put your own price into the calculator above.
One safety point worth more than the price difference: a propane heater in a garage must be vented, or be an unvented model rated and installed for the space with adequate combustion air. Unvented heaters put every BTU into the room, but also all of the water vapour and combustion products. For a full breakdown of garage heater types, see the garage heater cost calculator.
Propane $2.55/gal — EIA State Heating Oil and Propane Program (weekly), heating-season average, October 2025 - March 2026. That series runs weekly October to March only and has published nothing since 30 March 2026. Electricity 18.44¢/kWh (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A, May 2026); natural gas $1.44/therm (EIA, winter average, November 2025 - March 2026 (US); December 2025 - February 2026 (by state)).