Convert Ton of Refrigeration to Megawatts
Convert Ton of Refrigeration (RT) to Megawatts (MW) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
MW = RT × 0.003516852842
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 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.
Quick Reference Table
| Ton of Refrigeration (RT) | Megawatts (MW) |
|---|---|
| 1 RT | 0.00351685 MW |
| 2 RT | 0.00703371 MW |
| 5 RT | 0.0175843 MW |
| 10 RT | 0.0351685 MW |
| 25 RT | 0.0879213 MW |
| 50 RT | 0.175843 MW |
| 100 RT | 0.351685 MW |