Natural Gas Measurements & Definitions

BTU

This is an abbreviation for British Thermal Unit, a measure of heat content or heating value. BTUs measure the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.

Burner

A device for consuming fuel where a flame is produced.

CF

A measurement of volume. A CF is the amount of gas that would occupy one cubic foot at a temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 14.73 pound force per square inch. This is a measurement of natural gas volume that has a heating value of approximately 1,040 BTUs.

CCF

CCF, 100 cubic feet, is a measure of natural gas volume that has a heating value of approximately one therm or 100,000 BTUs.

Therm

This is the equivalent of 100,000 BTUs.

Dekatherm

The equivalent of 10 therms.

MCF

One thousand (1,000) cubic feet of natural gas. This is the equivalent of 10 therms or approximately 1,000,000 BTUs.

Pilot Light

A small permanent flame use to ignite gas at a burner.

Meter

An instrument for measuring and recording the amount of a commodity or service consumed.