Therm (therm) - Unit Information & Conversion
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What is a Therm?
Therm = 100,000 BTU = 105.5 MJ = 29.3 kWh. Standard for US natural gas billing. Home heating monthly: 50-200 therms (winter). 1 therm ≈ 100 cubic feet (CCF) of natural gas. About $1-2 per therm.
History of the Therm
Standard energy unit used in science, engineering, and industry. Conversion: 1 therm = 105,500,000 joules.
Quick Answer
What is Therm? Therm = 100,000 BTU = 105.5 MJ = 29.3 kWh. Standard for US natural gas billing. Home heating monthly: 50-200 therms (winter). 1 therm ≈ 100 cubic feet (CCF) of natural gas. About $1-2 per therm. Use our energy converter for instant conversions.
Key Facts: Therm
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol | therm |
| Quantity | Energy |
| System | Metric/SI Derived |
| Derived from | Joule |
| Category | Energy |
| Standard Body | NIST / ISO |
Definition
1 therm = 105,500,000 joules (J)
Common Uses
Used in physics, engineering, energy systems, and scientific calculations where this energy scale is appropriate for the application.
Real-World Applications
Thermal Energy (Heat)
| System | Therms |
|---|---|
| Home heating (winter month) | 400-600 |
| Gas stove cooking | 0.01-0.05 |
| Industrial furnace (daily) | 1,000-5,000 |
| Power plant cooling | 10,000+ |
Common Conversions
| 1 Therm = | Amount |
|---|---|
| 105.5 MJ | Megajoules |
| 29.3 kWh | Kilowatt-hours |
| 100,000 BTU | British Thermal Units |
| 25,200 kilocalories | Kcal |
Natural Gas Industry Standard
US Utility Billing
| Usage Level | Therms/Month | Cost/Month | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light use | 10-30 | $10-40 | Summer |
| Moderate | 40-100 | $50-150 | Spring/Fall |
| Heavy | 150-250 | $200-400 | Winter |
| Extreme | 300+ | $500+ | Cold snap |
Industrial Applications
- Natural gas turbines: 1,000-10,000 therms/day
- Steel mills: 100,000+ therms/day
- Refineries: 50,000-200,000 therms/day
- Residential: 50-150 therms/winter month
Energy Content Reference
- 1 therm ≈ 100 cubic feet (CCF) natural gas
- 1 CCF = $1-4 depending on region
- Historical: Standardized by American Gas Association
- Advantage: Direct correspondence to gas volume measurements
Historical Context
The therm became standard in the utility industry because it approximates 100 cubic feet of natural gas at standard pressure and temperature, making billing calculations straightforward before digital systems.
Therm Conversion Formulas
To Joule:
To Kilojoule:
To Megajoule:
To Gigajoule:
To Watt-hour:
To Kilowatt-hour:
To Megawatt-hour:
To Calorie:
To Kilocalorie:
To British Thermal Unit:
To Foot-pound:
To Electronvolt:
To Erg:
To Quad:
Frequently Asked Questions
Convert Therm
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