Electric Horsepower to BTU per Hour Converter

Convert hp(E) to BTU/h with our free online power converter.

Quick Answer

1 Electric Horsepower = 2545.457658 BTU/h

Formula: Electric Horsepower ร— conversion factor = BTU per Hour

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

Electric Horsepower to BTU per Hour Calculator

How to Use the Electric Horsepower to BTU per Hour Calculator:

  1. Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Electric Horsepower).
  2. The converted value in BTU per Hour 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 (โ‡Œ) to reverse the conversion direction.
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How to Convert Electric Horsepower to BTU per Hour: Step-by-Step Guide

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

Formula:

BTU/h = hp(E) ร— 2545.46

Example Calculation:

1 hp(E) = 2545.457658 BTU/h

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.

What is a Electric Horsepower and a BTU per Hour?

1 hp(E) = 746 W = 0.746 kW = 1.0004 hp (mechanical) = 2,545 BTU/h

Difference from mechanical hp: 746 W vs 745.7 W (0.04% higher)

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

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

Common Uses and Applications: hp(E) vs BTU/h

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

Common Uses for hp(E)

Electric Motors: Industrial motors, pumps, compressors (ratings in hp(E)). HVAC: Fan motors, blower motors (fractional to 10 hp). Manufacturing: Conveyor motors, machine tools (1-100 hp). Residential: Garage door openers, pool pumps (0.5-3 hp).

When to Use 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.

Additional Unit Information

About Electric Horsepower (hp(E))

How do I convert electric horsepower to watts?

Formula: W = hp(E) ร— 746

Examples:

  • 1 hp(E) = 746 W
  • 5 hp(E) = 3,730 W = 3.73 kW
  • 10 hp(E) = 7,460 W = 7.46 kW
  • 0.5 hp(E) = 373 W

Electric HP to Watts converter โ†’

What is the difference between electric and mechanical horsepower?

Electric HP (hp(E)): 746 W exactly (US electric motors) Mechanical HP (hp): 745.7 W (550 ftโ‹…lb/s, automotive standard)

Difference: 0.04% (practically identical)

Usage:

  • Electric motors โ†’ hp(E)
  • Engines (gas, diesel) โ†’ mechanical hp
  • International โ†’ kW preferred

Conversion: 1 hp(E) = 1.0004 hp (mechanical)

How much power does a 1 hp electric motor use?

Full load: 746 W input (if 100% efficient)

Realistic power draw (accounting for efficiency):

  • 50% efficiency: 1,492 W (1.5 kW)
  • 70% efficiency: 1,066 W (1.07 kW)
  • 85% efficiency: 878 W (0.88 kW)
  • 90% efficiency: 829 W (0.83 kW)

Example: 1 hp motor at 85% efficiency draws 878W. Running 8 hours = 7 kWh energy consumed.

Modern motors: 85-95% efficient. Older motors: 70-85%.

Why use hp(E) instead of kW?

US tradition: Motor industry established before SI metric adoption

Current practice:

  • US: Both hp(E) and kW used (hp(E) more common for small motors)
  • Europe/Asia: Primarily kW
  • International standards: Moving toward kW only

Nameplate labeling: Many US motors show both (e.g., "1 hp / 0.75 kW")

Conversion: Divide hp(E) by 1.341 to get kW

How do I size a motor for my application?

Basic formula: Required hp = (Torque ร— RPM) รท 5,252

Practical approach:

  1. Determine load requirements (torque, speed, duty cycle)
  2. Add safety factor: Multiply by 1.15-1.25 (15-25% margin)
  3. Select next standard size: 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 5, 7.5, 10 hp

Example: Application needs 0.8 hp โ†’ Add 25% = 1 hp โ†’ Select 1 hp motor

Avoid oversizing: Wastes energy, motors run inefficiently at low load.

About BTU per Hour (BTU/h)

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

Basic calculation: Room square footage ร— 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 ร— 0.293
  • kW = BTU/h รท 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 โ†’ BTU/h to kW converter โ†’

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 โ†’

How efficient is my furnace or AC?

Furnace efficiency (AFUE):

  • Old furnace: 60-70% AFUE
  • Standard: 80% AFUE (80,000 BTU/h input โ†’ 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 รท watts input

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

Conversion Table: Electric Horsepower to BTU per Hour

Electric Horsepower (hp(E))BTU per Hour (BTU/h)
0.51,272.729
12,545.458
1.53,818.187
25,090.915
512,727.288
1025,454.577
2563,636.442
50127,272.883
100254,545.766
250636,364.415
5001,272,728.829
1,0002,545,457.658

People Also Ask

How do I convert Electric Horsepower to BTU per Hour?

To convert Electric Horsepower to BTU per Hour, enter the value in Electric Horsepower 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 โ†’

What is the conversion factor from Electric Horsepower to BTU per Hour?

The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Electric Horsepower and BTU per Hour. 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 BTU per Hour back to Electric Horsepower?

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

Learn more โ†’

What are common uses for Electric Horsepower and BTU per Hour?

Electric Horsepower and BTU per Hour 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.

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

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 โ€” Fundamental physical constants and unit conversions

BIPM SI Units

Bureau International des Poids et Mesures โ€” International System of Units (SI) definitions and standards

ISO 80000

International Organization for Standardization โ€” Quantities and units international standards series

Last verified: February 19, 2026