Convert Megawatts to BTU per Hour
Convert Megawatts (MW) to BTU per Hour (BTU/h) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
BTU/h = MW × 3412141.633
About Megawatts
A megawatt (MW) is 10⁶ W - the standard unit for utility power plant output. A coal unit produces 300-900 MW; a large nuclear reactor 1,000-1,600 MW. Offshore wind turbines reach 15 MW each (Vestas V236-15.0). The Three Gorges Dam totals 22,500 MW. Aluminium smelters consume 500-600 MW; electric arc furnaces 100-300 MW. Solar farms are rated in MWp; pharmaceutical clean-room HVAC systems in MW. 1 MW = 10⁶ W = 1,341 mechanical hp.
About BTU per Hour
One BTU per hour (BTU/h) ≈ 0.2931 W - the dominant HVAC capacity unit in the US and Canada. Room air conditioners are universally rated in BTU/h: 12,000 BTU/h = 1 ton of refrigeration = 3,517 W. Home furnaces range from 40,000-150,000 BTU/h. Office building cooling demand is calculated in BTU/h per ft². Engineers convert: BTU/h × 0.2931 = W; or W × 3.412 = BTU/h. 1 BTU/h = 0.29307 W.
Quick Reference Table
| Megawatts (MW) | BTU per Hour (BTU/h) |
|---|---|
| 1 MW | 3412140 BTU/h |
| 2 MW | 6824280 BTU/h |
| 5 MW | 17060700 BTU/h |
| 10 MW | 34121400 BTU/h |
| 25 MW | 85303500 BTU/h |
| 50 MW | 170607000 BTU/h |
| 100 MW | 341214000 BTU/h |