How Much Fuel Does a Diesel Heater Use?

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, as fuel consumption depends on how hard the heater is working and how long you run it for.

That said, there’s a good general rule of thumb.

Typical Fuel Usage

On a low setting, most diesel heaters will use around 100ml of diesel per hour. Even when running for extended periods, that’s a surprisingly small amount of fuel.

To put that into perspective:

• 1 litre of diesel can provide around 10 hours of heating on low
• A small auxiliary fuel tank can last multiple nights of use

Why Diesel Heaters Are So Popular

This low fuel consumption is exactly why diesel heaters have become so popular with caravan, camper and off-grid travellers. They provide consistent warmth without draining your fuel supply or battery system.

Of course, fuel usage will increase if:

• The heater is running on higher power
• Outside temperatures are colder
• The space being heated is larger

Even so, diesel heaters remain one of the most efficient heating options available for off-grid camping.