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By Shailendra Singh
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Updated on 28 Apr 2025, 11:46 IST
BTU/hr (British Thermal Units per hour) is a unit of power that measures the rate of heat transfer or energy consumption per hour. It is commonly used to define the heating or cooling capacity of appliances, particularly in HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems.
The term ton in air conditioning refers to the cooling capacity of a system. Historically, it originates from the amount of heat required to melt one ton of ice in 24 hours. One ton of cooling capacity is equal to:
1 ton = 12,000 BTU/hr
This measurement is widely used in sizing air conditioners and refrigeration systems.
To convert BTU/hr to tons, use this simple formula:
Tons = BTU/hr ÷ 12,000
Where:
Convert 30,000 BTU/hr to tons:
Tons = 30,000 ÷ 12,000 = 2.5 tons
| Power (BTU/hr) | Power (Tons) |
| 1 BTU/hr | 0.0000833 Tons |
| 10 BTU/hr | 0.000833 Tons |
| 100 BTU/hr | 0.00833 Tons |
| 1,000 BTU/hr | 0.0833 Tons |
| 10,000 BTU/hr | 0.833 Tons |
| 12,000 BTU/hr | 1 Ton |
| 24,000 BTU/hr | 2 Tons |
| 36,000 BTU/hr | 3 Tons |
| 48,000 BTU/hr | 4 Tons |
| 60,000 BTU/hr | 5 Tons |
Converting BTU/hr to tons is essential for understanding and optimizing heating and cooling systems. Whether you’re selecting an air conditioner or evaluating HVAC system efficiency, using the correct conversion helps in making the right decisions.
Use the formula and table above for quick conversions and ensure your cooling system is sized appropriately for your needs.
One ton of cooling capacity is equal to 12,000 BTU per hour. So, 1 ton = 12,000 BTU/hr.
1 ton is equivalent to 12,000 BTU.
To convert BTU to tons, you can use the formula: Tons = BTU / 12,000 Divide the number of BTU by 12,000 to get the equivalent cooling capacity in tons.
To find out the BTU rating of a 1.5-ton AC unit, you can use the conversion: 1 ton = 12,000 BTU/hr 1.5 tons = 1.5 * 12,000 BTU/hr 1.5-ton AC unit = 18,000 BTU/hr So, a 1.5-ton AC unit has a cooling capacity of 18,000 BTU per hour.
Using the same conversion factor: 1 ton = 12,000 BTU/hr 3 tons = 3 * 12,000 BTU/hr 3-ton AC unit = 36,000 BTU/hr So, a 3-ton AC unit has a cooling capacity of 36,000 BTU per hour.