BTU per Hour to kW Converter
Convert BTU per hour to kilowatts — 3,412 BTU/h make a kilowatt. Results update as you type; exact factors shown.
One BTU per hour is 0.0003 kilowatts — see the exact factor, not a rounded rule of thumb.
How the btu per hour 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 US uses customary units (US gallon, short ton, °F) in daily life; NIST SP 811 gives the exact SI factors.
Common power conversions
| From | To | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 BTU/h | 1.4654 kW | BTU per hour to kilowatts |
| 9,000 BTU/h | 2.6376 kW | BTU per hour to kilowatts |
| 12,000 BTU/h | 3.5169 kW | BTU per hour to kilowatts |
| 18,000 BTU/h | 5.2753 kW | BTU per hour to kilowatts |
| 24,000 BTU/h | 7.0337 kW | BTU per hour to kilowatts |
| 30,000 BTU/h | 8.7921 kW | BTU per hour to kilowatts |
| 36,000 BTU/h | 10.5506 kW | BTU per hour to kilowatts |
| 42,000 BTU/h | 12.309 kW | BTU per hour to kilowatts |
| 48,000 BTU/h | 14.0674 kW | BTU per hour to kilowatts |
| 60,000 BTU/h | 17.5843 kW | BTU per hour to kilowatts |
| 80,000 BTU/h | 23.4457 kW | BTU per hour to kilowatts |
| 100,000 BTU/h | 29.3071 kW | BTU per hour 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 12,000 BTU/h?
3.517 kW — one ton of refrigeration.
What size room does 9,000 BTU/h suit?
Roughly a 20 m² bedroom, though insulation and orientation matter more than floor area.
Why is my quote in BTU?
Air-conditioning capacity is quoted in BTU/h across much of the trade, even in metric countries.
What is 24,000 BTU/h in kW?
7.03 kW.
Is a bigger unit better?
No. An oversized air conditioner short-cycles, dehumidifies poorly and costs more to run.
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 Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) — United States's national measurement authority.
Last checked: September 2026. Conversion factors are fixed by definition and do not change with tax years or regulations.