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 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 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.