BTU/h to Tons Calculator: Cooling Capacity & kW

 

Convert cooling or heating capacity between BTU per hour, refrigeration tons and thermal kilowatts. One refrigeration ton equals 12000 BTU/h. These are units of power, not energy use or equipment weight.

Input unitBTU per hour (BTU/h)Refrigeration tons (TR)Thermal kilowatts (kW)Capacity value

Enter the value in the selected unit. Changing Input unit reinterprets the entered number; it does not convert the entry automatically. Use a period for decimals and no thousands separators.

JavaScript is required for interactive conversion. Formulas and examples remain available below.

How to convert BTU/h to tons

Refrigeration tons = BTU/h / 12000. To convert back, multiply refrigeration tons by 12000. The term ton refers to a conventional cooling-capacity unit; it does not mean the equipment weighs a ton.

A specification may shorten BTU/h to BTU in casual usage. Check that the published figure actually describes an hourly rate. A BTU alone is an energy unit, while BTU/h is a power unit. This converter requires power inputs.

Worked example: 24000 BTU/h

Choose Input unit BTU per hour (BTU/h), enter Capacity value 24000, then select Convert capacity. The results are 24000 BTU/h, 2 refrigeration tons and approximately 7.033706 thermal kW.

For the reverse conversion, choose Refrigeration tons (TR), enter Capacity value 2 and convert again. The same equivalent capacities appear. Common examples include 18000 BTU/h = 1.5 tons and 36000 BTU/h = 3 tons.

Convert thermal kilowatts

This tool uses the International Table BTU: 1 BTU = 1055.05585262 joules. Since one hour contains 3600 seconds and one kW equals 1000 watts, thermal kW = BTU/h x 1055.05585262 / 3600000.

One refrigeration ton is approximately 3.516853 thermal kW. Divide thermal kW by that unrounded conversion factor to obtain refrigeration tons. Using a rounded factor can produce a slightly different result, especially for large capacities. Other BTU definitions can also give slightly different conversions.

Thermal capacity is not electrical consumption

An air conditioner transfers heat rather than simply turning all input electricity into cooling. Its thermal capacity and electrical input are different quantities. Converting BTU/h to thermal kW does not reveal the electrical power drawn at the socket.

Estimating electrical use requires suitable efficiency data and operating conditions. An electricity bill also depends on runtime, cycling and the tariff. This converter does not calculate kWh, electricity cost, COP, EER or seasonal efficiency.

Conversion does not size an HVAC system

A two-ton rating is a capacity description, not a recommendation for a particular room area. Required capacity depends on climate, insulation, windows, solar gain, ventilation, occupancy and other heat loads. Nominal nameplate capacity can also differ from delivered capacity under actual conditions.

Use an appropriate load calculation and equipment performance data when selecting a system. This tool does not apply a universal BTU-per-square-foot rule or assess installation requirements. For measuring a room's area separately, see the Square Footage Calculator.

For a step-by-step walkthrough, read How to Convert BTU per Hour to Tons and Thermal kW.

Limits and privacy

Inputs may range from zero to 1000000000000 in the selected unit. This is a software limit, not a normal equipment range. Negative capacities and blank entries are rejected. Values use floating-point arithmetic, so displayed precision is not a claim about the accuracy of a manufacturer's specification.

Conversions run locally in your browser. This calculator does not save or send your entries. The hosting website may use separate analytics or advertising services.