1. What is BTU and Tons of Refrigeration?

BTU (British Thermal Unit) is a unit of heat energy. One BTU is the amount of energy needed to raise one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Tons of refrigeration is a unit of power that describes the heat extraction capacity of air conditioning systems.

2. How Does the Conversion Work?

The conversion formula is:

Where:

• 1 ton of refrigeration = 12,000 BTU/hour
• This conversion factor comes from the amount of heat needed to melt one ton of ice in 24 hours

Explanation: The conversion is based on the historical definition of a ton of refrigeration being equal to the cooling effect of melting one ton of ice in 24 hours.

3. Importance of This Conversion

Details: This conversion is essential for HVAC professionals and homeowners to properly size air conditioning systems and understand cooling capacity specifications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the tons of refrigeration value (typically between 1-5 for residential systems) to get the equivalent BTU rating. The calculator handles decimal values for precise calculations.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is 1 ton equal to 12,000 BTU?
A: It originates from the amount of heat needed to melt one ton (2000 lbs) of ice in 24 hours, which equals 12,000 BTU per hour.

Q2: How many BTUs do I need for my room?
A: As a rough estimate, you need about 20 BTU for each square foot of living space, but other factors like insulation and climate matter too.

Q3: What's the difference between BTU and BTU/hour?
A: When discussing air conditioners, BTU typically refers to BTU/hour (the rate of heat transfer), though the "/hour" is often omitted.

Q4: How many tons is a 24,000 BTU AC unit?
A: 2 tons (24,000 ÷ 12,000 = 2).

Q5: Can I use this for heat pumps too?
A: Yes, the same conversion applies to heat pump heating/cooling capacity ratings.