BTU to Tons Converter
Convert between BTU/h, tons of refrigeration, and watts for HVAC and cooling systems
Convert Cooling Capacity Units
British Thermal Units per hour
Refrigeration tons (TR)
SI unit of power
Conversion Results
Additional Power Units
Energy Consumption
Conversion formulas:
- • 1 ton = 12,000 BTU/h
- • 1 watt = 3.412142 BTU/h
- • 1 BTU/h = 8.33333×10⁻⁵ tons
Example: 1.5 Ton AC Unit
Given: 1.5 tons of refrigeration
BTU calculation: 1.5 × 12,000 = 18,000 BTU/h
Watts calculation: 18,000 ÷ 3.412142 = 5,275 watts
Power consumption: 5.28 kW
Daily energy (24h): 126.6 kWh
Suitable for: ~900 sq ft space
Common HVAC Equipment
Window AC (Small)
5,000 BTU/h
0.42 tons
Small room (150 sq ft)
Window AC (Medium)
8,000 BTU/h
0.67 tons
Medium room (300 sq ft)
Window AC (Large)
12,000 BTU/h
1 tons
Large room (500 sq ft)
Central AC (Small Home)
24,000 BTU/h
2 tons
1,200 sq ft home
Central AC (Medium Home)
36,000 BTU/h
3 tons
1,800 sq ft home
Central AC (Large Home)
48,000 BTU/h
4 tons
2,400 sq ft home
Quick Reference
BTU (British Thermal Unit)
Heat to raise 1 lb water by 1°F
Common in US HVAC systems
Ton of Refrigeration
Heat to melt 1 ton of ice per day
Equals 12,000 BTU/h
Watt
SI unit of power
1 W = 3.412142 BTU/h
Understanding HVAC Power Units
What is BTU?
A British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. BTU per hour (BTU/h) measures the rate of heat transfer, commonly used to specify heating and cooling capacity.
Historical Context
- •Originated in 1880s when ice blocks cooled buildings
- •One ton of ice melting per day = 1 ton of refrigeration
- •Still used today for HVAC equipment sizing
Conversion Relationships
1 ton = 12,000 BTU/h
1 watt = 3.412142 BTU/h
1 BTU/h = 0.293071 watts
1 ton = 3,516.85 watts
Practical Applications
- Air Conditioning: Sizing units for room/building cooling
- Refrigeration: Commercial and industrial cooling systems
- Heat Pumps: Both heating and cooling capacity ratings
- Energy Efficiency: Comparing system performance (SEER, EER)
HVAC Equipment Sizing Guide
Room Size Calculation
Typically 20-25 BTU per square foot for standard rooms with 8-foot ceilings
• Add 600 BTU per person
• Add 4,000 BTU for kitchen
• Adjust for insulation quality
Climate Considerations
Hot climates may require 25-30 BTU per sq ft, while moderate climates need 15-20 BTU per sq ft
• Sun exposure increases load
• Shade trees reduce load
• Window efficiency matters
Energy Efficiency
Higher SEER ratings provide better efficiency and lower operating costs
• SEER 13-16: Standard efficiency
• SEER 17-21: High efficiency
• SEER 22+: Premium efficiency