1. What is BTU to Watt Conversion?

The British Thermal Unit (BTU) and Watt are both units of power. This calculator converts BTU per hour to watts, and then further converts watts to horsepower, which is useful for comparing heating/cooling capacity to electrical power requirements.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses these conversion formulas:

Where:

• \( BTU/hr \) — British Thermal Units per hour
• \( W \) — Watts (electrical power)
• \( HP \) — Horsepower (mechanical power)

Explanation: 1 watt equals approximately 3.412142 BTU/hr, and 1 horsepower equals 746 watts.

3. Importance of Power Conversion

Details: Understanding these conversions is essential when comparing heating/cooling systems (rated in BTU/hr) with electrical systems (rated in watts or horsepower), or when sizing generators and power supplies.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Simply enter the BTU/hr value you want to convert. The calculator will provide both watt and horsepower equivalents. Values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why convert BTU to watts?
A: Converting BTU/hr to watts helps compare heating/cooling capacity with electrical power requirements for system compatibility.

Q2: How accurate is this conversion?
A: The conversion factors are exact, so results are mathematically precise.

Q3: What's a typical BTU/hr rating for air conditioners?
A: Residential window units range from 5,000-25,000 BTU/hr, while central systems can be 24,000-60,000 BTU/hr or more.

Q4: How many watts equal 1 horsepower?
A: Exactly 746 watts equal 1 mechanical horsepower.

Q5: Are there different types of BTU?
A: The calculator uses the International Table BTU (1 BTU = 1055.056 J). Other definitions differ slightly but are rarely used.