How Much Propane Does An RV Refrigerator Use

If you are an RV owner who likes to camp off-grid or boondock, you may wonder how much propane your RV refrigerator uses and how to conserve it. Propane is a versatile fuel that can power many appliances in your RV, such as the stove, oven, water heater, furnace, and refrigerator. However, propane is also a limited resource that you need to refill or replace periodically.

The amount of propane your RV refrigerator uses depends on several factors, such as the size and age of your fridge, the ambient temperature, the fridge temperature setting, and the frequency of opening and closing the fridge door. In general, a modern RV refrigerator with a capacity of 10 to 12 cubic feet will use about 1.5 pounds of propane per day, which is equivalent to about 1,400 BTUs per hour.

How Does An RV Refrigerator Work On Propane

An RV refrigerator is different from a residential refrigerator in that it uses a process called absorption refrigeration instead of compression refrigeration. An absorption refrigerator uses heat to create a cooling effect, while a compression refrigerator uses electricity to compress and expand a refrigerant gas.

An absorption refrigerator has three main components: a generator, a condenser, and an evaporator. The generator contains a mixture of water and ammonia that is heated by either an electric element or a propane flame. The heat causes the ammonia to vaporize and rise to the condenser, where it cools down and liquefies. The liquid ammonia then flows to the evaporator, where it mixes with hydrogen gas and evaporates again. This evaporation absorbs heat from the inside of the fridge and lowers the temperature. The ammonia-hydrogen mixture then returns to the generator, where the water absorbs the ammonia and the cycle repeats.

When you run your RV refrigerator on propane, you are using the propane flame to heat up the generator and start the absorption cycle. The propane flame is controlled by a thermostat that regulates the temperature inside the fridge. The propane flame also needs a constant supply of oxygen and a proper ventilation system to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.

How To Measure The Propane Usage Of Your RV Refrigerator

To measure how much propane your RV refrigerator uses, you need to know two things: the BTU rating of your fridge and the BTU content of your propane tank.

The BTU rating of your fridge is the amount of heat energy it consumes per hour when running on propane. You can find this information in your fridge manual or on a sticker inside the fridge. For example, if your fridge has a BTU rating of 1,400 per hour, it means it uses 1,400 BTUs of propane every hour.

The BTU content of your propane tank is the amount of heat energy stored in your tank. You can find this information on your tank label or by multiplying the weight of your tank by 21,600. For example, if you have a 20-pound propane tank, it has a BTU content of 20 x 21,600 = 432,000 BTUs.

To calculate how much propane your RV refrigerator uses per day, you need to divide the BTU rating of your fridge by the BTU content of your tank and multiply by 24 hours. For example, if you have a fridge with a BTU rating of 1,400 per hour and a 20-pound propane tank, you need to do this calculation:

(1,400 / 432,000) x 24 = 0.077 x 24 = 1.85 pounds per day

This means your fridge will use about 1.85 pounds of propane per day from your 20-pound tank.

How To Reduce The Propane Usage Of Your RV Refrigerator

There are several ways you can reduce the propane usage of your RV refrigerator and make your propane last longer. Here are some tips:

• Keep your fridge full but not overcrowded: A full fridge will retain cold air better than an empty one and reduce the frequency of the propane flame turning on and off. However, don’t overfill your fridge or block the air vents, as this will reduce the airflow and efficiency of your fridge.
• Keep your fridge door closed as much as possible: Every time you open and close your fridge door, you let out cold air and let in warm air. This will make your fridge work harder and use more propane to maintain the temperature. Try to minimize the number of times you open and close your fridge door and plan ahead what you need to take out or put in.
• Keep your fridge away from heat sources: Heat sources such as direct sunlight, stove, oven, furnace, or generator can raise the ambient temperature around your fridge and make it work harder and use more propane to cool down. Try to park your RV in a shaded spot or use curtains or awnings to block the sunlight. Also, avoid using other heat sources near your fridge or use them sparingly.
• Keep your fridge level: Your fridge needs to be level to function properly and efficiently. If your fridge is not level, the liquid ammonia in the generator may not flow correctly and cause poor cooling performance or damage to your fridge. Use a bubble level or a carpenter’s level to check if your fridge is level and adjust your RV’s stabilizers or jacks if needed.
• Maintain your fridge regularly: Your fridge needs regular maintenance to keep it in good shape and prevent any problems that may affect its performance or propane usage. Some of the maintenance tasks you should do are:
  • Clean the burner and the flue: The burner and the flue are the parts of your fridge that produce and vent the propane flame. They can get clogged with dirt, dust, rust, or insects and cause poor combustion or carbon monoxide buildup. You should clean them at least once a year or more often if you use your fridge frequently or in dusty environments. You can use a soft brush, compressed air, or a special flue brush to clean them.
  • Check the propane pressure: The propane pressure is the amount of force that pushes the propane gas from the tank to the fridge. If the propane pressure is too low or too high, it can affect the flame size and quality and cause poor cooling performance or damage to your fridge. You should check the propane pressure at least once a year or more often if you notice any problems with your fridge. You can use a manometer or a special pressure gauge to check the propane pressure and adjust it if needed.
  • Check the door seal: The door seal is the rubber gasket that seals the gap between the door and the fridge body. It prevents cold air from escaping and warm air from entering your fridge. If the door seal is worn out, cracked, or loose, it can cause your fridge to lose efficiency and use more propane. You should check the door seal at least once a year or more often if you notice any gaps or leaks. You can use a dollar bill or a piece of paper to test the door seal and replace it if needed.

Conclusion

An RV refrigerator is a great appliance that can keep your food fresh and safe while camping off-grid or boondocking. However, it also uses propane as a fuel source, which is a limited resource that you need to conserve and refill periodically.

The amount of propane your RV refrigerator uses depends on several factors, such as the size and age of your fridge, the ambient temperature, the fridge temperature setting, and the frequency of opening and closing the fridge door. In general, a modern RV refrigerator with a capacity of 10 to 12 cubic feet will use about 1.5 pounds of propane per day, which is equivalent to about 1,400 BTUs per hour.

You can reduce the propane usage of your RV refrigerator by keeping your fridge full but not overcrowded, keeping your fridge door closed as much as possible, keeping your fridge away from heat sources, keeping your fridge level, and maintaining your fridge regularly.