This tool illustrates the “Jet Engine Effect” of standard RV furnaces (Suburban/Atwood) compared to quieter alternatives. It calculates not just the Propane Cost, but also the Battery Drain (a massive hidden cost of forced-air systems) and visualizes the Decibel Level to show why you might need earplugs to sleep.
RV Furnace Reality Check
Noise, Battery Drain, and Propane Cost Calculator.
Cheap to buy, expensive to run. Forced air blower.
The Hidden Costs of “Cheap” Heat
Standard RV furnaces use a high-speed blower to force air through small ducts. This creates a noise level of 70-75 dB, comparable to running a vacuum cleaner next to your bed. It cycles on and off all night, destroying sleep quality.
Propane contains the heat energy, but the 12V Blower Fan requires huge amounts of electricity (7-10 Amps) to push that heat. Running a standard furnace for one cold night can completely drain a 100Ah lead-acid battery, leaving you with dead lights in the morning.