1. What is BTU to Tonnage Conversion?

The conversion between BTU (British Thermal Units) and tons of refrigeration is essential in HVAC systems. One ton of refrigeration equals 12,000 BTU per hour, which is the amount of heat needed to melt one ton of ice in 24 hours.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• \( BTU \) — British Thermal Units (input)
• \( 12000 \) — Conversion factor (12,000 BTU = 1 ton)
• \( Tons \) — Resulting refrigeration tons (output)

3. Importance of BTU to Tons Conversion

Details: This conversion is crucial for sizing air conditioning systems, comparing cooling capacities, and ensuring proper HVAC system design.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the BTU value (must be greater than 0). The calculator will automatically compute the equivalent tonnage.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is 12,000 BTU equal to 1 ton?
A: This originates from the amount of heat needed to melt one ton (2000 lbs) of ice in 24 hours (288,000 BTU/day or 12,000 BTU/hour).

Q2: What's the difference between BTU and tons?
A: BTU measures energy while tons measure cooling capacity. Tons are commonly used in North America for HVAC system ratings.

Q3: How many BTUs are in a 3-ton AC unit?
A: 36,000 BTU (3 × 12,000). This is a common residential central air conditioner size.

Q4: Is this conversion used worldwide?
A: Mostly in North America. Other countries may use kilowatts (kW) for cooling capacity.

Q5: Can this be used for heating systems?
A: While the calculation works mathematically, tons are typically only used for cooling capacity, not heating.