1. What is BTU/hr?

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

2. Conversion Formula

The conversion formula between watts and BTU/hr is:

Where:

• \( W \) — Power in watts
• \( 3.412142 \) — Conversion factor (exact value)

3. Importance for Air Conditioning

Details: Air conditioner capacity is typically rated in BTU/hr. This conversion helps determine the appropriate AC unit size based on electrical power consumption or vice versa.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the power in watts (W) to get the equivalent cooling capacity in BTU/hr. Common residential AC units range from 5,000 to 36,000 BTU/hr.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How many BTU/hr is a 1,500W AC unit?
A: Approximately 5,118 BTU/hr (1,500 × 3.412142).

Q2: What's the wattage of a 12,000 BTU/hr AC?
A: About 3,517W (12,000 ÷ 3.412142).

Q3: Why is BTU/hr used for AC instead of watts?
A: BTU/hr directly represents cooling capacity, while watts measure electrical power consumption.

Q4: Is the conversion factor exact?
A: Yes, 3.412142 is the exact conversion factor (1 W = 3.412142 BTU/hr).

Q5: Does this apply to all AC types?
A: Yes, the conversion is universal, though actual cooling efficiency depends on the unit's EER or SEER rating.