Convert Ton of Refrigeration to BTU per Hour
Convert Ton of Refrigeration (RT) to BTU per Hour (BTU/h) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
BTU/h = RT × 12000
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.
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
| Ton of Refrigeration (RT) | BTU per Hour (BTU/h) |
|---|---|
| 1 RT | 12000 BTU/h |
| 2 RT | 24000 BTU/h |
| 5 RT | 60000 BTU/h |
| 10 RT | 120000 BTU/h |
| 25 RT | 300000 BTU/h |
| 50 RT | 600000 BTU/h |
| 100 RT | 1200000 BTU/h |