kW to Tons of Refrigeration Converter
Convert kilowatts to tons of refrigeration — one ton is 3.517 kW. Results update as you type; exact factors shown.
One kilowatt is 0.2843 ton of refrigerations — see the exact factor, not a rounded rule of thumb.
How the kw to tons of refrigeration converter works
Power converts through the watt. Mechanical horsepower is 550 ft·lbf/s = 745.6999 W; metric horsepower (PS, used in European car specs) is 735.4988 W. Air-conditioner capacities are quoted in kW, BTU/h (1 W = 3.412 BTU/h) or tons of refrigeration (3.517 kW).
Australia is fully metric under the National Measurement Act 1960; imperial units appear only in trade with the US and in older documents.
Common power conversions
| From | To | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | 0.2843 TR | kilowatt to ton of refrigerations |
| 3.517 kW | 1 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
| 5 kW | 1.4217 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
| 7 kW | 1.9904 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
| 10 kW | 2.8435 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
| 14 kW | 3.9808 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
| 17.6 kW | 5.0045 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
| 20 kW | 5.6869 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
| 35 kW | 9.9521 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
| 50 kW | 14.2173 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
| 70 kW | 19.9042 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
| 100 kW | 28.4345 TR | kilowatts to ton of refrigerations |
Units in this converter and their exact factors
| Unit | Symbol | One unit in watts |
|---|---|---|
| watt | W | 1 watt |
| kilowatt | kW | 1,000 watt |
| megawatt | MW | 1,000,000 watt |
| horsepower (mechanical) | hp | 745.6998715823 watt |
| metric horsepower (PS) | PS | 735.49875 watt |
| BTU per hour | BTU/h | 0.29307107 watt |
| ton of refrigeration | TR | 3,516.8528421 watt |
FAQFrequently asked questions about power conversion
What is a ton of refrigeration?
The cooling rate that freezes one short ton of water into ice in 24 hours — 3.517 kW, or 12,000 BTU/h.
Why is cooling measured in tons?
It predates mechanical refrigeration: capacity was compared against how much ice the machine replaced.
What is 10 kW in tons?
2.84 tons.
Is it a weight?
No — it is a rate of heat removal that happens to be named after one.
What is a domestic split system?
Usually under 2 tons; a large ducted system might be 5 to 10.
Where these figures come from
- BIPM — The International System of Units (SI Brochure, 9th edition) — definitions of the base and derived units.
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units — the exact conversion factors used here.
- National Measurement Institute (NMI) — Australia's national measurement authority.
Last checked: September 2026. Conversion factors are fixed by definition and do not change with tax years or regulations.