This tool quickly converts cooling capacity from tons (a common unit in HVAC design, often referred to as “ton of refrigeration”) to BTU/hr (British Thermal Units per hour). It leverages the standard conversion factor – 1 ton equals 12,000 BTU/hr to deliver instant and reliable results for engineers, technicians, and homeowners alike.
Tons to BTU Converter
Enter the cooling capacity in tons, then press "Convert".
Cooling Capacity (Tons)
Result in BTU/hr
How To Use This Converter
Follow these simple steps to perform your conversion:
- Input Cooling Capacity: Enter the cooling capacity value in tons into the designated field (e.g., “1.5”).
- Set Decimal Precision: Optionally, specify the number of decimal places for the result in the “Decimal Places” field. The tool ensures your result is as precise as needed (from 0 to 10 decimals).
- Convert: Click the “Convert” button. The tool immediately calculates the equivalent BTU/hr by multiplying the ton value by 12,000. A detailed calculation process is displayed below the result field.
- Review the Result: The converted value in BTU/hr appears in the output field, letting you know the cooling capacity in familiar energy terms.
- Additional Functions:
- Copy Result: Click the “Copy Result” button to copy the value to your clipboard for easy sharing or documentation.
- Swap Conversion: Use the “Swap” button if you wish to reverse the conversion process (from BTU/hr back to tons).
- Clear All: Press the “Clear All” button to reset all fields and start a new conversion.
Conversion Formula
This formula multiplies the cooling capacity in tons by 12,000 to yield the equivalent BTU/hr.
1 ton × 12,000 = BTU/hr
Source: Engineering Toolbox – Ton Refrigeration
Measurement Units Explained
Ton (of Refrigeration): This unit measures cooling capacity. Officially known as a “ton of refrigeration,” one ton is defined as the cooling ability to freeze 1 ton (2000 lbs) of water in 24 hours, which standardizes to 12,000 BTU/hr.
BTU/hr (British Thermal Unit per Hour): The BTU is a traditional unit of energy in the United States and is used here to express the rate of heat transfer. One BTU is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by 1°F at standard atmospheric pressure. In this context, BTU/hr indicates how many BTUs are transferred in one hour.
Conversion Table
| Tons | BTU/hr |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 6,000 |
| 1.0 | 12,000 |
| 1.5 | 18,000 |
| 2.0 | 24,000 |
| 2.5 | 30,000 |
| 3.0 | 36,000 |
| 3.5 | 42,000 |
| 4.0 | 48,000 |
| 4.5 | 54,000 |
| 5.0 | 60,000 |
Real World Examples
- A residential central air conditioner rated at 2 tons delivers approximately 24,000 BTU/hr.
- A window air conditioner with a 1-ton capacity produces around 12,000 BTU/hr.
- A small commercial chiller rated at 3 tons provides about 36,000 BTU/hr.
- An industrial refrigeration unit of 5 tons operates at 60,000 BTU/hr.
- A rooftop HVAC unit with a capacity of 4 tons supplies roughly 48,000 BTU/hr.
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