The heating value of natural gas is expressed in which unit?

The heating value of natural gas is often expressed in Therms, which is a unit specifically used to quantify the energy content of gas. One Therm is equivalent to 100,000 British thermal units (BTUs), making it a suitable measure for natural gas. This unit is commonly utilized in the energy industry to provide a clear understanding of the amount of energy produced by the combustion of natural gas.

Other units, such as MJ (megajoules), Kcal (kilocalories), and KWh (kilowatt-hours), are also valid measures of energy but are generally applied in different contexts. For instance, MJ is more commonly used in international contexts for various fuels, Kcal is generally used in food energy content, and KWh is focused on electrical energy consumption. While these measures can help in energy calculations, Therms remain one of the standard units for natural gas heating value due to the specifics of the gas market and its consumption patterns.