BTU per Second to Ton of Refrigeration Converter
Convert BTU/s to TR with our free online power converter.
Quick Answer
1 BTU per Second = 0.3 TR
Formula: BTU per Second × conversion factor = Ton of Refrigeration
Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.
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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.
BTU per Second to Ton of Refrigeration Calculator
How to Use the BTU per Second to Ton of Refrigeration Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (BTU per Second).
- The converted value in Ton of Refrigeration will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Power category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert BTU per Second to Ton of Refrigeration: Step-by-Step Guide
Converting BTU per Second to Ton of Refrigeration involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
TR = BTU/s × 0.3Example Calculation:
1 BTU/s = 0.3 TR
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?
View all Power conversions →What is a BTU per Second and a Ton of Refrigeration?
1 BTU/s = 1,055.06 W = 1.055 kW = 3,600 BTU/h = 1.41 hp = 0.001055 MW
1 ton of refrigeration (TR) = 12,000 BTU/h = 3.517 kW = 3,024 kcal/h
Origin: Heat absorbed by melting 1 ton (2,000 lbs) of ice at 32°F in 24 hours
Note: The BTU per Second is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Ton of Refrigeration belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
Common Uses and Applications: BTU/s vs TR
Explore the typical applications for both BTU per Second (imperial/US) and Ton of Refrigeration (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for BTU/s
Rare Unit: Almost never used in practice. Theoretical: Engineering textbooks, conversion tables. Alternatives Preferred: MW for large systems, BTU/h for HVAC. Historical: Old power plant references (now use MW).
When to Use TR
Residential AC: Home air conditioning systems (1.5-5 tons typical). Commercial HVAC: Office buildings, retail (10-200 tons per system). Industrial Refrigeration: Cold storage, food processing (50-500+ tons). Chiller Systems: Large building cooling, data centers.
Additional Unit Information
About BTU per Second (BTU/s)
How do I convert BTU/s to kW or MW?
Formula:
- kW = BTU/s × 1.055
- MW = BTU/s × 0.001055
Examples:
- 100 BTU/s = 105.5 kW = 0.106 MW
- 1,000 BTU/s = 1,055 kW = 1.055 MW
- 10,000 BTU/s = 10,550 kW = 10.55 MW
BTU/s to kW converter → BTU/s to MW converter →
How do I convert BTU/s to BTU/h?
Formula: BTU/h = BTU/s × 3,600
Examples:
- 1 BTU/s = 3,600 BTU/h
- 100 BTU/s = 360,000 BTU/h
- 1,000 BTU/s = 3,600,000 BTU/h (3.6 million BTU/h)
Why not use BTU/s for power plants?
Megawatts clearer: 500 MW vs 473,900 BTU/s International standard: MW used globally Simpler calculations: Metric system easier Industry convention: All power plants rated in MW or GW
Example: Nuclear reactor
- As MW: 1,000 MW (clear, concise)
- As BTU/s: 947,800 BTU/s (unwieldy)
- As BTU/h: 3.41 billion BTU/h (also unwieldy)
MW is the practical choice for large power systems.
About Ton of Refrigeration (TR)
How many tons of AC do I need?
Basic calculation: Square footage ÷ 400-600 = tons needed
More accurate method:
- Calculate BTU/h needed (sq ft × 20-25 BTU/h)
- Divide by 12,000 to get tons
Example (1,800 sq ft home):
- BTU/h needed: 1,800 × 22 = 39,600 BTU/h
- Tons needed: 39,600 ÷ 12,000 = 3.3 tons
- Choose: 3 ton or 3.5 ton system
Factors affecting sizing:
- Climate zone (hot = more, moderate = less)
- Insulation quality
- Window area and orientation
- Ceiling height
- Number of occupants
- Heat-generating appliances
[AC sizing calculator]
How do I convert tons to BTU/h or kW?
Formulas:
- BTU/h = Tons × 12,000
- kW = Tons × 3.517
Examples:
- 2 tons = 24,000 BTU/h = 7.03 kW
- 3 tons = 36,000 BTU/h = 10.55 kW
- 4 tons = 48,000 BTU/h = 14.07 kW
- 5 tons = 60,000 BTU/h = 17.58 kW
Reverse:
- BTU/h ÷ 12,000 = Tons
- kW ÷ 3.517 = Tons
Tons to BTU/h converter → Tons to kW converter →
Why is it called a "ton" of refrigeration?
Historical origin: In the 1800s, ice production was measured by tons of ice produced.
The definition: 1 ton of refrigeration = cooling power needed to freeze 1 ton (2,000 pounds) of water at 32°F into ice in 24 hours.
The math:
- Latent heat of ice: 144 BTU per pound
- 2,000 lbs × 144 BTU/lb = 288,000 BTU in 24 hours
- 288,000 BTU ÷ 24 hours = 12,000 BTU/h
Modern usage: The unit stuck even though we no longer use ice for cooling. It's purely a power measurement, NOT a weight!
What size AC for 2000 sq ft?
Typical: 3-4 tons (36,000-48,000 BTU/h)
Calculation (using 20 BTU/h per sq ft):
- 2,000 sq ft × 20 = 40,000 BTU/h
- 40,000 ÷ 12,000 = 3.33 tons
- Result: 3-ton or 3.5-ton system
Climate adjustments:
- Hot climate (Arizona, Florida): 4 tons (higher load)
- Moderate climate: 3-3.5 tons
- Cool climate (Northern states): 2.5-3 tons
Other factors:
- Well-insulated home: Can use smaller (3 tons)
- Poor insulation, lots of windows: Need larger (4 tons)
- High ceilings: Add 10-20%
- Multiple stories: May need multiple smaller units
Is bigger better for AC tonnage?
NO! Oversizing causes problems:
Issues with oversized AC:
- Short cycling: Turns on/off frequently, wears out faster
- Poor dehumidification: Doesn't run long enough to remove humidity
- Hot/cold spots: Uneven cooling
- Higher energy bills: Inefficient operation
- Shorter lifespan: More wear and tear
Ideal sizing: AC should run 15-20 minutes per cycle, cycling 2-3 times per hour on hot days
Example:
- 1,500 sq ft home needs 2.5-3 tons
- Installing 5 tons would be wasteful and problematic
- Better to size correctly or slightly undersize than oversize
Conversion Table: BTU per Second to Ton of Refrigeration
| BTU per Second (BTU/s) | Ton of Refrigeration (TR) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.15 |
| 1 | 0.3 |
| 1.5 | 0.45 |
| 2 | 0.6 |
| 5 | 1.5 |
| 10 | 3 |
| 25 | 7.5 |
| 50 | 15 |
| 100 | 30 |
| 250 | 75 |
| 500 | 150 |
| 1,000 | 300 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert BTU per Second to Ton of Refrigeration?
To convert BTU per Second to Ton of Refrigeration, enter the value in BTU per Second 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 Second to Ton of Refrigeration?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between BTU per Second and Ton of Refrigeration. 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 Ton of Refrigeration back to BTU per Second?
Yes! You can easily convert Ton of Refrigeration back to BTU per Second by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Ton of Refrigeration to BTU per Second converter page. You can also explore other power conversions on our category page.
Learn more →What are common uses for BTU per Second and Ton of Refrigeration?
BTU per Second and Ton of Refrigeration 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
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📚 How to Convert Units
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🔢 Conversion Formulas
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⚖️ Metric vs Imperial
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⚠️ Common Mistakes
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Other Power Units and Conversions
Explore other power units and their conversion options:
- Watt (W) • BTU per Second to Watt
- Milliwatt (mW) • BTU per Second to Milliwatt
- Kilowatt (kW) • BTU per Second to Kilowatt
- Megawatt (MW) • BTU per Second to Megawatt
- Gigawatt (GW) • BTU per Second to Gigawatt
- Horsepower (hp) • BTU per Second to Horsepower
- Metric Horsepower (PS) • BTU per Second to Metric Horsepower
- Electric Horsepower (hp(E)) • BTU per Second to Electric Horsepower
- BTU per Hour (BTU/h) • BTU per Second to BTU per Hour
- BTU per Minute (BTU/min) • BTU per Second to BTU per Minute
Verified Against Authority Standards
All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.
National Institute of Standards and Technology — Fundamental physical constants and unit conversions
Bureau International des Poids et Mesures — International System of Units (SI) definitions and standards
International Organization for Standardization — Quantities and units international standards series
Last verified: February 19, 2026