Tons of Refrigeration to kW Converter
Convert tons of refrigeration to kilowatts — multiply by 3.517. Results update as you type; exact factors shown.
One ton of refrigeration is 3.5169 kilowatts — see the exact factor, not a rounded rule of thumb.
How the tons of refrigeration to kw 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 TR | 1.7584 kW | ton of refrigerations to kilowatts |
| 1 TR | 3.5169 kW | ton of refrigeration to kilowatts |
| 1.5 TR | 5.2753 kW | ton of refrigerations to kilowatts |
| 2 TR | 7.0337 kW | ton of refrigerations to kilowatts |
| 3 TR | 10.5506 kW | ton of refrigerations to kilowatts |
| 4 TR | 14.0674 kW | ton of refrigerations to kilowatts |
| 5 TR | 17.5843 kW | ton of refrigerations to kilowatts |
| 7.5 TR | 26.3764 kW | ton of refrigerations to kilowatts |
| 10 TR | 35.1685 kW | ton of refrigerations to kilowatts |
| 15 TR | 52.7528 kW | ton of refrigerations to kilowatts |
| 20 TR | 70.3371 kW | ton of refrigerations to kilowatts |
| 50 TR | 175.8426 kW | ton of refrigerations to kilowatts |
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
How many kW is a ton of refrigeration?
3.517 kW.
What is 5 tons in kW?
17.6 kW.
Does this mean the unit draws that much power?
No — that is the heat removed. Electrical input is typically a third to a quarter of it, which is what a COP of 3 to 4 means.
What is a ton in BTU/h?
12,000.
Where is the term used?
Commercial HVAC, mostly in the US and in markets that buy US equipment.
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.