What is the common unit used to measure the input of natural gas appliances?

The common unit used to measure the input of natural gas appliances is the British Thermal Unit, often abbreviated as BTU. A BTU quantifies the amount of heat energy needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. This measurement is crucial in assessing the energy consumption and efficiency of natural gas appliances, such as furnaces, water heaters, and ranges.

Using BTUs allows technicians and homeowners to compare the heating capacities of different appliances easily. For instance, when selecting a heating system, one can determine which appliance delivers a suitable amount of heat based on the BTU ratings. Higher BTU values generally indicate a greater heating capacity, making the unit a standardized and useful metric in the industry.

The other units mentioned serve different purposes: kilowatts (KW) measure electrical power, cubic feet per minute (CFM) is used for air flow rate, and pounds per square inch (PSI) measures pressure. Each of these units is important but does not apply specifically to the measurement of natural gas energy input for appliances.