Convert Megawatts to Ton of Refrigeration
Convert Megawatts (MW) to Ton of Refrigeration (RT) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
RT = MW × 284.3451361
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 Ton of Refrigeration
One ton of refrigeration (RT) = 12,000 BTU/h ≈ 3,517 W - the cooling rate to freeze 1 short ton (2,000 lb) of water in 24 hours. This follows from water's latent heat: 144 BTU/lb × 2,000 lb ÷ 24 h = 12,000 BTU/h. US residential AC is 1.5-5 tons; a large commercial building 500-2,000 tons; a hyperscale data centre 50,000-100,000 tons. The RT is deeply embedded in North American HVAC catalogs, load calculation software, and contractor pricing. 1 RT = 3,516.85 W.
Quick Reference Table
| Megawatts (MW) | Ton of Refrigeration (RT) |
|---|---|
| 1 MW | 284.345 RT |
| 2 MW | 568.69 RT |
| 5 MW | 1421.73 RT |
| 10 MW | 2843.45 RT |
| 25 MW | 7108.63 RT |
| 50 MW | 14217.3 RT |
| 100 MW | 28434.5 RT |