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).
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 | 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 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.