What is the heating value of natural gas?

The heating value of natural gas, which is the amount of energy released during combustion, typically falls within a range due to variations in gas compositions. The most common ranges often cited for the heating value of natural gas are approximately between 900 to 1,200 British thermal units (BTUs) per cubic foot.

The selection of 1,000 BTUs per cubic foot is considered a standard reference value that lies within this commonly accepted range, making it a practical figure for calculations in residential and commercial heating applications. This value is widely used in the industry for estimating energy outputs, efficiency of gas appliances, and overall energy consumption.

The other values listed are outside the typical heating value range for natural gas, making them less relevant for standard calculations in this context. While specific gas mixtures might yield different heating values, 1,000 BTU/cubic foot serves as a useful benchmark for many applications.