This cooling-power converter moves in either direction among BTU per hour, tons of refrigeration, watts, and kilowatts.
Physics
BTU to Tons Converter
Convert cooling power between BTU per hour, tons of refrigeration, watts, and kilowatts.
Calculator
About this calculator
Formula notes
1 refrigeration ton = 12,000 BTU/h; 1 BTU/h = 0.29307107 W; kilowatts = watts / 1,000.
Worked examples
- Example: 12,000 BTU/h equals 1 refrigeration ton, 3,516.85284 W, or about 3.51685 kW.
- A cooling capacity of 5 kW converts to about 17,060.7 BTU/h and 1.42172 refrigeration tons using the stated unit constants.
How to use it
- Choose the unit of the cooling-power value.
- Enter a nonnegative amount.
- Read the equivalent BTU/h, refrigeration tons, watts, and kilowatts.
Frequently asked questions
Is a refrigeration ton a unit of weight?
No. It is a unit of heat-removal rate historically related to freezing one short ton of ice per day.
Does electrical input equal cooling output?
No. Cooling capacity and electrical consumption differ; equipment efficiency is needed to relate them.
Limits and interpretation
- This is a unit conversion of cooling capacity, not an estimate of room load, required equipment size, seasonal performance, or electrical energy consumption.
- Real HVAC selection also depends on climate, envelope, ventilation, humidity, occupancy, equipment efficiency, part-load behavior, and manufacturer ratings.