1. What is BTU/hr?

BTU/hr (British Thermal Units per hour) is a unit of power commonly used to measure heating or cooling capacity. One BTU represents the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the conversion formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Watts (W)} \) — Power in watts
• \( 3.41214 \) — Conversion factor (BTU/hr per watt)

Explanation: This conversion factor comes from the relationship between the two units of power measurement, where 1 watt equals approximately 3.41214 BTU/hr.

3. Importance of BTU Calculation

Details: Converting between watts and BTU/hr is essential for comparing heating/cooling systems, sizing HVAC equipment, and understanding energy consumption across different measurement systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Simply enter the power in watts to get the equivalent in BTU/hr. The calculator works for any positive value.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why convert watts to BTU/hr?
A: Many heating and cooling systems in the US are rated in BTU/hr, while electrical devices often list power in watts. Conversion allows for direct comparison.

Q2: How accurate is this conversion?
A: The conversion factor 3.41214 is precise for most practical applications. For extremely precise scientific calculations, more decimal places may be used.

Q3: Can I convert BTU/hr back to watts?
A: Yes, divide BTU/hr by 3.41214 to get watts (W = BTU/hr ÷ 3.41214).

Q4: What's a typical BTU/hr rating for air conditioners?
A: Residential window units typically range from 5,000 to 25,000 BTU/hr, while central systems can be 24,000 BTU/hr (2 tons) or more.

Q5: How many watts equal 1 ton of cooling?
A: 1 ton of cooling equals 12,000 BTU/hr, which is about 3,517 watts (12,000 ÷ 3.41214).