Metric Horsepower to Ton of Refrigeration Converter

Convert PS to TR with our free online power converter.

Quick Answer

1 Metric Horsepower = 0.209135 TR

Formula: Metric Horsepower × 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.

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

Metric Horsepower to Ton of Refrigeration Calculator

How to Use the Metric Horsepower to Ton of Refrigeration Calculator:

  1. Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Metric Horsepower).
  2. The converted value in Ton of Refrigeration 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 Metric Horsepower to Ton of Refrigeration: Step-by-Step Guide

Converting Metric Horsepower to Ton of Refrigeration involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.

Formula:

TR = PS × 0.209135

Example Calculation:

1 PS = 0.209135 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.

What is a Metric Horsepower and a Ton of Refrigeration?

1 PS = 735.5 W = 0.7355 kW = 0.9863 hp (mechanical) = 75 kgf⋅m/s = 2,510 BTU/h

Names by region:

  • PS (Pferdestärke) - German
  • CV (Chevaux Vapeur) - French
  • pk (paardenkracht) - Dutch
  • hk (hästkraft) - Swedish
  • LE (Leistungseinheit) - Older German

All equal exactly 735.5 watts.

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 Metric Horsepower 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: PS vs TR

Explore the typical applications for both Metric Horsepower (imperial/US) and Ton of Refrigeration (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.

Common Uses for PS

Automotive: Engine power ratings in Europe, Asia (100-500 PS typical). Motorcycles: Engine power specifications (15-200 PS). Industrial: European motors, pumps, machinery (kW now more common). Marine: European boat engines, outboards (5-500 PS).

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 Metric Horsepower (PS)

How do I convert PS to horsepower (hp)?

Formula: hp = PS × 0.9863 (or PS ÷ 1.014)

Examples:

  • 100 PS = 98.6 hp
  • 150 PS = 148 hp
  • 200 PS = 197 hp
  • 300 PS = 296 hp

Reverse: hp × 1.014 = PS

PS to HP converter →

How do I convert PS to kilowatts?

Formula: kW = PS × 0.7355 (or PS ÷ 1.36)

Examples:

  • 75 PS = 55.2 kW
  • 100 PS = 73.6 kW
  • 150 PS = 110.3 kW
  • 200 PS = 147.1 kW

Quick approximation: Divide PS by 1.36 to get kW

PS to kW converter →

What is the difference between PS and hp?

Metric HP (PS): 735.5 W (75 kgf⋅m/s, Europe/Asia) Mechanical HP (hp): 745.7 W (550 ft⋅lb/s, US/UK)

Difference: PS is 1.4% less than hp

Conversion: 1 PS = 0.9863 hp, 1 hp = 1.014 PS

Example:

  • BMW 330i: 258 PS = 254 hp = 190 kW
  • Ford Mustang: 450 hp = 456 PS = 336 kW

Modern trend: Manufacturers increasingly list all three (PS, hp, kW)

Why does Europe use PS instead of hp?

Historical: Metric system adoption in Continental Europe

Definition basis:

  • PS based on metric units (75 kg lifted 1 m in 1 s)
  • hp based on imperial units (550 lb lifted 1 ft in 1 s)

Current practice:

  • Official: kW is legal unit (EU regulations)
  • Marketing: PS still widely used in car advertising
  • Dual listing: Most specs show "kW (PS)" format

Example spec: "110 kW (150 PS)" on European car brochures

How do I compare engine specs in different units?

Three common formats:

  1. US/Canada: hp (horsepower mechanical)
  2. Europe/Asia: PS (metric horsepower)
  3. International: kW (kilowatts)

Quick comparison table:

| hp | PS | kW | |-----|-----|-----| | 100 | 101 | 75 | | 150 | 152 | 112 | | 200 | 203 | 149 | | 300 | 304 | 224 |

Conversion shortcuts:

  • hp ≈ PS (within 1-2%)
  • kW × 1.36 ≈ PS
  • hp × 0.746 ≈ kW

Example: Car rated at 184 PS = 181 hp = 135 kW (all same power)

About Ton of Refrigeration (TR)

How many tons of AC do I need?

Basic calculation: Square footage ÷ 400-600 = tons needed

More accurate method:

  1. Calculate BTU/h needed (sq ft × 20-25 BTU/h)
  2. 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: Metric Horsepower to Ton of Refrigeration

Metric Horsepower (PS)Ton of Refrigeration (TR)
0.50.105
10.209
1.50.314
20.418
51.046
102.091
255.228
5010.457
10020.914
25052.284
500104.568
1,000209.136

People Also Ask

How do I convert Metric Horsepower to Ton of Refrigeration?

To convert Metric Horsepower to Ton of Refrigeration, enter the value in Metric 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 →

What is the conversion factor from Metric Horsepower to Ton of Refrigeration?

The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Metric Horsepower 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 Metric Horsepower?

Yes! You can easily convert Ton of Refrigeration back to Metric Horsepower by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Ton of Refrigeration to Metric Horsepower converter page. You can also explore other power conversions on our category page.

Learn more →

What are common uses for Metric Horsepower and Ton of Refrigeration?

Metric Horsepower 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.

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 Erg per SecondMetric Horsepower to Joule per SecondElectric Horsepower to WattElectric Horsepower to Milliwatt

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 TechnologyFundamental physical constants and unit conversions

BIPM SI Units

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

ISO 80000

International Organization for StandardizationQuantities and units international standards series

Last verified: February 19, 2026