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BTU per Hour to Megawatt Converter

Convert BTU/h to megawatts with our free online power converter.

Quick Answer

1 BTU per Hour = 2.930711e-7 megawatts

Formula: BTU per Hour × conversion factor = Megawatt

Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.

Our Accuracy Guarantee

All conversion formulas on UnitsConverter.io have been verified against NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines and international SI standards. Our calculations are accurate to 10 decimal places for standard conversions and use arbitrary precision arithmetic for astronomical units.

Last verified: February 2026Reviewed by: Sam Mathew, Software Engineer

BTU per Hour to Megawatt Calculator

How to Use the BTU per Hour to Megawatt Calculator:

  1. Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (BTU per Hour).
  2. The converted value in Megawatt will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
  3. Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Power category.
  4. Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
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How to Convert BTU per Hour to Megawatt: Step-by-Step Guide

Converting BTU per Hour to Megawatt involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.

Formula:

MW = BTU/h × 2.93071e-7

Example Calculation:

1 BTU/h = 2.930711e-7 MW

Disclaimer: For Reference Only

These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.

Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.

Need to convert to other power units?

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What is a BTU per Hour and a Megawatt?

1 BTU/h = 0.293 W = 0.000293 kW

Key equivalents:

  • 3,412 BTU/h = 1 kW
  • 12,000 BTU/h = 1 ton of refrigeration = 3.52 kW
  • 1 BTU/h = 0.2931 W

1 MW = 1,000,000 W = 1,000 kW = 1,341 hp = 3.412 million BTU/h = 0.001 GW

Note: The BTU per Hour is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Megawatt belongs to the imperial/US customary system.

Common Uses and Applications: BTU/h vs megawatts

Explore the typical applications for both BTU per Hour (imperial/US) and Megawatt (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.

Common Uses for BTU/h

Air Conditioning: Window units (5,000-18,000 BTU/h), central systems (18,000-60,000 BTU/h). Furnaces: Home heating (40,000-150,000 BTU/h input). Water Heaters: Gas water heaters (30,000-50,000 BTU/h). HVAC Design: Load calculations, equipment sizing, ductwork design.

When to Use megawatts

Renewable Energy: Wind turbines (2-15 MW), solar farms (1-100 MW). Power Generation: Small power plants, gas turbines, diesel generators. Industrial: Large factories, manufacturing plants, mining operations. Data Centers: Hyperscale facilities (20-100 MW), server farms.

Additional Unit Information

About BTU per Hour (BTU/h)

How many BTU/h do I need for air conditioning?

Basic calculation: Room square footage × 20-25 BTU/h

Adjustments:

  • Sunny room: Add 10%
  • Shaded room: Subtract 10%
  • Kitchen: Add 4,000 BTU/h
  • More than 2 people: Add 600 BTU/h per person
  • High ceilings (>8 ft): Add 10-20%

Examples:

  • 200 sq ft bedroom: 4,000-5,000 BTU/h (5,000 BTU window unit)
  • 400 sq ft living room: 8,000-10,000 BTU/h (10,000 BTU window unit)
  • 1,500 sq ft home: 30,000-36,000 BTU/h (2.5-3 ton central AC)

[BTU/h calculator for HVAC sizing]

How do I convert BTU/h to watts or kW?

Formula:

  • Watts = BTU/h × 0.293
  • kW = BTU/h ÷ 3,412

Examples:

  • 12,000 BTU/h = 3,517 W = 3.52 kW (1 ton AC)
  • 24,000 BTU/h = 7,034 W = 7.03 kW (2 ton AC)
  • 10,000 BTU/h = 2,930 W = 2.93 kW (window unit)
  • 1,000 BTU/h = 293 W

BTU/h to Watts converter → BTU/h to kW converter →

What is the difference between BTU and BTU/h?

BTU = Energy (total heat/cooling) BTU/h = Power (rate of heating/cooling)

Analogy:

  • BTU = distance traveled (miles)
  • BTU/h = speed (miles per hour)

Example:

  • A 10,000 BTU/h air conditioner removes 10,000 BTU of heat per hour
  • Running for 3 hours removes 30,000 BTU total

Always use BTU/h when rating HVAC equipment capacity!

How many BTU/h equals 1 ton of refrigeration?

1 ton = 12,000 BTU/h = 3.52 kW

Origin: Based on melting 1 ton (2,000 lbs) of ice in 24 hours

Common AC sizes:

  • 1 ton = 12,000 BTU/h (small rooms, ~400-600 sq ft)
  • 1.5 tons = 18,000 BTU/h (larger rooms, ~600-900 sq ft)
  • 2 tons = 24,000 BTU/h (small homes, ~900-1,200 sq ft)
  • 2.5 tons = 30,000 BTU/h (medium homes, ~1,200-1,500 sq ft)
  • 3 tons = 36,000 BTU/h (larger homes, ~1,500-1,800 sq ft)
  • 4 tons = 48,000 BTU/h (large homes, ~2,000-2,400 sq ft)
  • 5 tons = 60,000 BTU/h (very large homes, ~2,400-3,000 sq ft)

BTU/h to Tons converter →

How efficient is my furnace or AC?

Furnace efficiency (AFUE):

  • Old furnace: 60-70% AFUE
  • Standard: 80% AFUE (80,000 BTU/h input → 64,000 BTU/h heat output)
  • High-efficiency: 90-98% AFUE

AC efficiency (SEER):

  • Old AC: SEER 8-10 (inefficient)
  • Standard: SEER 13-14 (minimum new units)
  • High-efficiency: SEER 16-20
  • Ultra-high: SEER 20-26

EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) = BTU/h output ÷ watts input

  • Good window AC: EER 10-12
  • Excellent: EER 12+

About Megawatt (MW)

How do I convert MW to kW or W?

Formula:

  • kW = MW × 1,000
  • W = MW × 1,000,000

Examples:

  • 1 MW = 1,000 kW = 1,000,000 W
  • 5 MW = 5,000 kW = 5,000,000 W
  • 2.5 MW = 2,500 kW = 2,500,000 W
  • 0.5 MW = 500 kW = 500,000 W

MW to kW converter → MW to Watts converter →

How many homes can 1 MW power?

Average US home: ~1.2 kW average (30 kWh/day ÷ 24 hrs)

1 MW = 1,000 kW

Calculation: 1,000 kW ÷ 1.2 kW/home ≈ 833 homes (average load)

Regional variations:

  • High AC use (Arizona, Texas): ~600-700 homes
  • Moderate climate: ~700-900 homes
  • Mild climate: ~900-1,200 homes

Peak vs average:

  • Average load: 1 MW = 800-900 homes
  • Peak load (summer afternoon): 1 MW = 300-500 homes

Example: 5 MW wind turbine powers ~4,000 homes on average

What is the difference between MW and MWh?

MW (Megawatt) = Power (rate of energy use/generation right now) MWh (Megawatt-hour) = Energy (total amount over time)

Analogy:

  • MW = speedometer (speed right now)
  • MWh = odometer (total distance traveled)

Example:

  • 5 MW solar farm × 6 hours = 30 MWh energy produced
  • 10 MW data center × 24 hours = 240 MWh daily consumption

Power plant ratings: Always in MW (capacity) Energy production/consumption: Measured in MWh or GWh

How much does a 1 MW power plant produce per year?

Formula: Annual MWh = MW × hours/year × capacity factor

1 MW at 100% capacity: 8,760 MWh/year (365 days × 24 hours)

Realistic production (accounting for capacity factor):

Nuclear: 1 MW × 8,760 hrs × 90% = 7,884 MWh/year Coal: 1 MW × 8,760 hrs × 50% = 4,380 MWh/year Wind: 1 MW × 8,760 hrs × 35% = 3,066 MWh/year Solar: 1 MW × 8,760 hrs × 25% = 2,190 MWh/year

Example: 5 MW wind turbine produces ~15,330 MWh/year (~1,700 homes)

How big is a 1 MW solar farm?

Solar panel efficiency: ~400W per panel (modern, 2024) Panels needed: 1,000,000 W ÷ 400 W = 2,500 panels

Land area:

  • Fixed tilt: 4-5 acres per MW
  • Single-axis tracking: 6-8 acres per MW
  • Dual-axis tracking: 8-10 acres per MW

1 MW solar farm typical specs:

  • Panels: 2,500-3,000 (400W each)
  • Land: 5-7 acres
  • Annual production: 1,500-2,500 MWh (depending on location)
  • Homes powered: ~150-250 homes

Scaling: 100 MW solar farm = 500-700 acres (varies by location, technology)

Conversion Table: BTU per Hour to Megawatt

BTU per Hour (BTU/h)Megawatt (MW)
0.50
10
1.50
20
50
100
250
500
1000
2500
5000
1,0000

People Also Ask

How do I convert BTU per Hour to Megawatt?

To convert BTU per Hour to Megawatt, enter the value in BTU per Hour in the calculator above. The conversion will happen automatically. Use our free online converter for instant and accurate results. You can also visit our power converter page to convert between other units in this category.

Learn more →

What is the conversion factor from BTU per Hour to Megawatt?

The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between BTU per Hour and Megawatt. You can find the exact conversion formula and factor on this page. Our calculator handles all calculations automatically. See the conversion table above for common values.

Can I convert Megawatt back to BTU per Hour?

Yes! You can easily convert Megawatt back to BTU per Hour by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Megawatt to BTU per Hour converter page. You can also explore other power conversions on our category page.

Learn more →

What are common uses for BTU per Hour and Megawatt?

BTU per Hour and Megawatt are both standard units used in power measurements. They are commonly used in various applications including engineering, construction, cooking, and scientific research. Browse our power converter for more conversion options.

For more power conversion questions, visit our FAQ page or explore our conversion guides.

Helpful Conversion Guides

Learn more about unit conversion with our comprehensive guides:

📚 How to Convert Units

Step-by-step guide to unit conversion with practical examples.

🔢 Conversion Formulas

Essential formulas for power and other conversions.

⚖️ Metric vs Imperial

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⚠️ Common Mistakes

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View All Guides →

All Power Conversions

Watt to MilliwattWatt to KilowattWatt to MegawattWatt to GigawattWatt to HorsepowerWatt to Metric HorsepowerWatt to Electric HorsepowerWatt to BTU per HourWatt to BTU per MinuteWatt to BTU per SecondWatt to Foot-pound per SecondWatt to Foot-pound per MinuteWatt to Calorie per SecondWatt to Kilocalorie per HourWatt to Ton of RefrigerationWatt to Erg per SecondWatt to Joule per SecondMilliwatt to WattMilliwatt to KilowattMilliwatt to MegawattMilliwatt to GigawattMilliwatt to HorsepowerMilliwatt to Metric HorsepowerMilliwatt to Electric HorsepowerMilliwatt to BTU per HourMilliwatt to BTU per MinuteMilliwatt to BTU per SecondMilliwatt to Foot-pound per SecondMilliwatt to Foot-pound per MinuteMilliwatt to Calorie per SecondMilliwatt to Kilocalorie per HourMilliwatt to Ton of RefrigerationMilliwatt to Erg per SecondMilliwatt to Joule per SecondKilowatt to WattKilowatt to MilliwattKilowatt to MegawattKilowatt to GigawattKilowatt to HorsepowerKilowatt to Metric HorsepowerKilowatt to Electric HorsepowerKilowatt to BTU per HourKilowatt to BTU per MinuteKilowatt to BTU per SecondKilowatt to Foot-pound per SecondKilowatt to Foot-pound per MinuteKilowatt to Calorie per SecondKilowatt to Kilocalorie per HourKilowatt to Ton of RefrigerationKilowatt to Erg per SecondKilowatt to Joule per SecondMegawatt to WattMegawatt to MilliwattMegawatt to KilowattMegawatt to GigawattMegawatt to HorsepowerMegawatt to Metric HorsepowerMegawatt to Electric HorsepowerMegawatt to BTU per HourMegawatt to BTU per MinuteMegawatt to BTU per SecondMegawatt to Foot-pound per SecondMegawatt to Foot-pound per MinuteMegawatt to Calorie per SecondMegawatt to Kilocalorie per HourMegawatt to Ton of RefrigerationMegawatt to Erg per SecondMegawatt to Joule per SecondGigawatt to WattGigawatt to MilliwattGigawatt to KilowattGigawatt to MegawattGigawatt to HorsepowerGigawatt to Metric HorsepowerGigawatt to Electric HorsepowerGigawatt to BTU per HourGigawatt to BTU per MinuteGigawatt to BTU per SecondGigawatt to Foot-pound per SecondGigawatt to Foot-pound per MinuteGigawatt to Calorie per SecondGigawatt to Kilocalorie per HourGigawatt to Ton of RefrigerationGigawatt to Erg per SecondGigawatt to Joule per SecondHorsepower to WattHorsepower to MilliwattHorsepower to KilowattHorsepower to MegawattHorsepower to GigawattHorsepower to Metric HorsepowerHorsepower to Electric HorsepowerHorsepower to BTU per HourHorsepower to BTU per MinuteHorsepower to BTU per SecondHorsepower to Foot-pound per SecondHorsepower to Foot-pound per MinuteHorsepower to Calorie per SecondHorsepower to Kilocalorie per HourHorsepower to Ton of RefrigerationHorsepower to Erg per SecondHorsepower to Joule per SecondMetric Horsepower to WattMetric Horsepower to MilliwattMetric Horsepower to KilowattMetric Horsepower to MegawattMetric Horsepower to GigawattMetric Horsepower to HorsepowerMetric Horsepower to Electric HorsepowerMetric Horsepower to BTU per HourMetric Horsepower to BTU per MinuteMetric Horsepower to BTU per SecondMetric Horsepower to Foot-pound per SecondMetric Horsepower to Foot-pound per MinuteMetric Horsepower to Calorie per SecondMetric Horsepower to Kilocalorie per HourMetric Horsepower to Ton of RefrigerationMetric Horsepower to Erg per SecondMetric Horsepower to Joule per SecondElectric Horsepower to Watt

Other Power Units and Conversions

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Verified Against Authority Standards

All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.

NIST Reference on Constants, Units and Uncertainty

National Institute of Standards and Technology — Fundamental physical constants and unit conversions

BIPM SI Units

Bureau International des Poids et Mesures — International System of Units (SI) definitions and standards

ISO 80000

International Organization for Standardization — Quantities and units international standards series

Last verified: February 19, 2026