Tons of Refrigeration to BTU per Hour Converter
Convert tons of refrigeration to BTU per hour — exactly 12,000 BTU/h to the ton. Results update as you type; exact factors shown.
One ton of refrigeration is 12,000 BTU per hour — see the exact factor, not a rounded rule of thumb.
How the tons of refrigeration to btu per hour 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).
The UK is metric for most trade and science but keeps miles, pints, stone and mpg (with the imperial gallon) in daily life.
Common power conversions
| From | To | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 TR | 6,000 BTU/h | ton of refrigerations to BTU per hour |
| 0.75 TR | 9,000 BTU/h | ton of refrigerations to BTU per hour |
| 1 TR | 12,000 BTU/h | ton of refrigeration to BTU per hour |
| 1.5 TR | 18,000 BTU/h | ton of refrigerations to BTU per hour |
| 2 TR | 24,000 BTU/h | ton of refrigerations to BTU per hour |
| 2.5 TR | 30,000 BTU/h | ton of refrigerations to BTU per hour |
| 3 TR | 36,000 BTU/h | ton of refrigerations to BTU per hour |
| 4 TR | 48,000 BTU/h | ton of refrigerations to BTU per hour |
| 5 TR | 60,000 BTU/h | ton of refrigerations to BTU per hour |
| 7.5 TR | 90,000.0001 BTU/h | ton of refrigerations to BTU per hour |
| 10 TR | 120,000.0001 BTU/h | ton of refrigerations to BTU per hour |
| 20 TR | 240,000.0001 BTU/h | ton of refrigerations to BTU per hour |
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 BTU/h in a ton of refrigeration?
Exactly 12,000.
Where does the ton come from?
The rate that freezes one short ton of water into ice in 24 hours — a comparison against the ice trade the machines replaced.
What is a domestic split system?
Usually 0.75 to 2 tons, which is 9,000 to 24,000 BTU/h.
What is a ton in kilowatts?
3.517 kW.
Is it a weight?
No — it is a rate of heat removal named after one.
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 Physical Laboratory (NPL) — United Kingdom's national measurement authority.
Last checked: September 2026. Conversion factors are fixed by definition and do not change with tax years or regulations.