effiworkx website site logo

Gas cubic meter (m3) to Kilowatt hour (kWh) conversion calculator

If you use natural gas to heat your house or even cook, you may wonder how to save energy to save on your energy bills.

The first step is to find out how much gas you are using and how much you pay for every cubic meter (m3) of gas.

How to convert a gas cubic meter to Kilowatt hour

To convert metric cubic meters (m3) of gas to Kilowatts per hour (kWh), you need to use the following equation:

m3 x calorific value x correction factor / conversion factor = kWh

– The calorific value is around 40.0, but the value may vary within the plus or minus 5% range.

– The correction factor is 1.02264

– The conversion factor from m3 to kWh is 3.6

1 m3 x 40 x 1.02264 = 40.9056 MJ

 40.9056 MJ / 3.6 =  11.3627 kWh

gas meter

For example, the user from the picture above has consumed 1103,644 cubic meters of gas. So, to calculate the equivalent in kWh

1103.644 x 40 x 1.02264 / 3.6 =  12,540.339 kWh

Gas calorific value

The calorific value (CV) does measure the heating power of the gas.

The CV refers to the amount of energy released when a volume of gas is completely combusted under standard conditions of pressure and temperature.

The CV is measured in Megajoules per cubic meter (MJ/m3) and its value ranges between 37.5 and 43.0 MJ/m3.

This is because as the gas composition varies so does the energy released when the gas is combusted.

For general calculations, an average value of 40.0 as a calorific value is used.

Gas correction factor

The volume of gas is dependent upon pressure and temperature.

Pressure and temperature vary depending on the location.

The correction factor must consider the particular temperature and atmospheric conditions.

The most common correction factor is 1.02264

Gas conversion factor

To convert Megajoules (MJ) into Kilowatt-hours (kWh), we need to divide MJ by 3.6

♦ 1 kWh = 3.6 MJ

♦ 1 MJ = 0.2777777778 kWh

Gas cubic meter to Kilowatts hour calculator - m3 to kWh

The following calculator can be used to:

– Convert gas cubic meters (m3) to kilowatts hours (kWh)

– Calculate an estimation of the gas cost

 

For example:

> If you have consumed 500 m3 of gas

> If the gas calorific value is 40

> If the gas conversion factor is 1.02264

> If you are paying 0.046 cents per kWh of gas

You will consume 5681.3333 kWh of gas and pay 261.341 euros/dollars/etc. to your gas providers as a variable cost.

How much does natural gas cost?

The price per kWh of gas consumed was established once you signed the contract with your gas provider. 

Therefore, if you need to know how much you are paying for the kWh of gas consumed, you should check the contract or your gas bill.

Alternatively, if you don’t have access to your natural gas contract or your natural gas bills, this website does show the natural gas price in Europe.

Or, if you don’t live in Europe, this other website shows the natural gas price in the world. Note that the price is displayed by default in USD.

Gas cubic meter (m3) FAQ

Why is natural gas supplied in cubic meters and billed in kilowatts per hour?

Liquids like propane, gasoline, or diesel are measured in liters.

But natural gas is in the gaseous state, so a liter cannot be used as a measurement unit. Natural gas has to be measured in cubic meters (m3).

Because the amount of natural gas per cubic meter varies depending on the temperature and the pressure of the natural gas, the gas providers are obligated to bill natural gas consumption in Kilowatt hours.

How much does one cubic meter of natural gas cost?

It does depend on what was defined in the contract you signed with your gas provider.

Usually, the gas provider defines in the contract a cost per kWh of gas of X amount for the first one or two years of the contract, and afterward, the cost is usually increased to market value.

What does m3 mean on a gas meter?

m3 stands for cubic meters.

Natural gas for household consumption is measured in cubic meters.

gas meter cubic meters counter

Gas and energy conservation

Energy conservation can be defined as the decision to use less energy.

Energy conservation both benefit you and the environment

The act of saving and conserving gas does help you because you will be paying less for your energy bills. 

And it also does benefit the environment because conserving gas prevents any unnecessary waste of natural resources.

At the individual level, it may not look worth saving a few cubic meters of gas here or there. 

Still, every little one count, and if hundreds or thousands of us save a little every time, it will make an essential contribution towards conserving our natural resources.

House thermal image

Gas cubic meter energy conservation calculator

If we could reduce gas usage, even a very small amount, it would greatly impact preserving our natural resources.

 

For example, if 100 households would manage to save as little as 0.1 cubic meters of gas (1.1363 kWh) on home heating per day, that would add to 41,475 Kilowatt hours (kWh) saved per year. 

100 households x 1.1363 kWh per day x 365 days per year 

41,475 kWh saved per year

That is a considerable amount of gas, but let’s add additional perspectives for clarity:

> Assuming an average cost of 0,05 euros (or dollars, or pounds, or any other currency) per kWh, we would collectively be saving nearly 2,074 euros per year.

So, it is clear that small energy savings do count when looking into the bigger picture.

Electricity conservation calculators

If you are looking for additional opportunities to conserve energy by lowering your electricity usage, you may be interested in looking at our electricity usage calculators.

Click on any icon below and learn how to lower your electricity usage and save money on your electricity bill.

How to save
How to save
How to earn
How to earn

Calculators

Effiworkx blog

Dishwasher Vs Hand Washing
How to save electricity
margareth

Dishwasher Vs Hand Washing

What does save more electricity, water, time and effort, washing the dishes by hand or using a dishwasher?
There is no need to guess… let us show you what are our results and conclusions.

Read More »
5/5

This site contains affiliate links and we will earn an affiliate commission for any purchase you make, without any cost to you. 

All content found on this website is intended for informational and educational purposes only.

For more information, read the ‘terms of use‘ and ‘disclaimer‘.

The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice or consultation.

© 2022 Effiworkx. All rights reserved

SHARE