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Diesel heater vs idling: the payback

Updated October 5, 2026

A diesel air heater costs upfront but sips fuel. Idling costs nothing upfront but burns diesel all night. Here's the break-even.

Nights per winter you'll need heatHours idling per nightIdling fuel burn (L/hour)Diesel price (C$/L)Diesel heater cost (C$)

Note: A diesel air heater burns ~0.2L/hour vs 3–4L/hour idling. The math is not close.

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