BTU to Ton Conversion Formula:
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The BTU (British Thermal Unit) to ton conversion is used in HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems to convert cooling capacity measurements. One ton of cooling capacity is equivalent to 12,000 BTU per hour.
The calculator uses the simple conversion formula:
Where:
Explanation: This conversion is standard in the HVAC industry where one ton of refrigeration equals the cooling effect of melting one ton of ice in 24 hours, which equals 12,000 BTU per hour.
Details: Accurate conversion between BTU and tons is essential for proper sizing of air conditioning systems, energy efficiency calculations, and comparing cooling capacities across different HVAC equipment.
Tips: Enter the BTU/h value in the input field. The calculator will automatically convert it to tons. Ensure the value is positive and represents the cooling capacity in BTU per hour.
Q1: Why is 12,000 BTU equal to 1 ton?
A: This conversion comes from the historical definition where one ton of refrigeration equals the amount of heat absorbed by melting one ton (2000 pounds) of ice at 32°F in 24 hours.
Q2: What is a typical BTU rating for residential AC units?
A: Residential air conditioners typically range from 18,000 BTU (1.5 tons) to 60,000 BTU (5 tons) for most homes.
Q3: Can I use this for heating systems?
A: While primarily used for cooling capacity, the conversion can also apply to heating systems that use the same measurement units.
Q4: How accurate is this conversion?
A: This is a standard industry conversion and is accurate for all practical HVAC applications and calculations.
Q5: What if I have BTU per day instead of per hour?
A: You would need to divide BTU per day by 24 to get BTU per hour first, then use this calculator for the conversion to tons.