BTU to HP Conversion Formula:
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The BTU to HP conversion is used to translate British Thermal Units per hour (BTU/hr) into equivalent horsepower (HP), a common unit of power in engineering systems.
The calculator uses the conversion formula:
Where:
Explanation: The conversion factor 2545 BTU/hr per HP comes from the mechanical equivalent of heat and standard definitions of these units.
Details: Accurate power conversion is essential for comparing heating/cooling systems (rated in BTU/hr) with mechanical systems (rated in HP), especially in HVAC applications.
Tips: Enter BTU/hr value (must be positive). The calculator will automatically compute the equivalent horsepower.
Q1: Why is the conversion factor 2545?
A: This comes from the definition that 1 HP = 2544.43 BTU/hr (rounded to 2545 for practical calculations).
Q2: Is this for mechanical or electrical HP?
A: This uses mechanical horsepower (1 HP = 550 ft-lb/s). For electrical HP, the conversion factor is slightly different (1 HP = 2546 BTU/hr).
Q3: Can I convert HP back to BTU/hr?
A: Yes, simply multiply HP by 2545 to get BTU/hr.
Q4: What are typical BTU/hr values for home appliances?
A: Residential air conditioners range from 5,000-60,000 BTU/hr (≈2-24 HP), while furnaces are typically 40,000-150,000 BTU/hr (≈16-60 HP).
Q5: How precise is this conversion?
A: The conversion is precise for most engineering purposes, though exact values may vary slightly based on specific definitions used.