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Ton of Refrigeration to Foot-pound per Minute Converter

Convert TR to ft⋅lb/min with our free online power converter.

Quick Answer

1 Ton of Refrigeration = 155633.868293 ft⋅lb/min

Formula: Ton of Refrigeration × conversion factor = Foot-pound per Minute

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: December 2025Reviewed by: Sam Mathew, Software Engineer

Ton of Refrigeration to Foot-pound per Minute Calculator

How to Use the Ton of Refrigeration to Foot-pound per Minute Calculator:

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

Converting Ton of Refrigeration to Foot-pound per Minute involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.

Formula:

ft⋅lb/min = TR × 155634

Example Calculation:

1 TR = 155633.868293 ft⋅lb/min

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.

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What is a Ton of Refrigeration and a Foot-pound per Minute?

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

1 ft⋅lbf/min = 0.0226 W = 0.0000226 kW = 0.00003 hp = 0.0771 BTU/h

Horsepower relationship: 33,000 ft⋅lbf/min = 1 hp (745.7 W) exactly

Note: The Ton of Refrigeration is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Foot-pound per Minute belongs to the imperial/US customary system.

Common Uses and Applications: TR vs ft⋅lb/min

Explore the typical applications for both Ton of Refrigeration (imperial/US) and Foot-pound per Minute (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.

Common Uses for 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.

When to Use ft⋅lb/min

Historical: Original horsepower definition (Watt, 1780s). Engineering Education: Teaching power unit derivations. Rarely Used: Impractically small for modern applications. Conversion Reference: Link between hp and ft⋅lbf/s.

Additional Unit Information

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

About Foot-pound per Minute (ft⋅lb/min)

How do I convert ft⋅lbf/min to horsepower?

Formula: hp = ft⋅lbf/min ÷ 33,000

Examples:

  • 33,000 ft⋅lbf/min = 1 hp (exact)
  • 16,500 ft⋅lbf/min = 0.5 hp
  • 66,000 ft⋅lbf/min = 2 hp
  • 330,000 ft⋅lbf/min = 10 hp

ft⋅lbf/min to HP converter →

How do I convert ft⋅lbf/min to ft⋅lbf/s?

Formula: ft⋅lbf/s = ft⋅lbf/min ÷ 60

Examples:

  • 60 ft⋅lbf/min = 1 ft⋅lbf/s
  • 600 ft⋅lbf/min = 10 ft⋅lbf/s
  • 33,000 ft⋅lbf/min = 550 ft⋅lbf/s = 1 hp

ft⋅lbf/min to ft⋅lbf/s converter →

Why 33,000 ft⋅lbf/min for 1 hp?

James Watt's experiment (1780s):

Observation: Draft horses in coal mines

  • Work rate: Lifting ~22,000 lb⋅ft/min (typical horse)
  • Watt's definition: 33,000 ft⋅lbf/min (50% above average)
  • Marketing: Sell steam engines rated conservatively vs horses

Calculation:

  • 33,000 ft⋅lbf/min ÷ 60 = 550 ft⋅lbf/s
  • 550 ft⋅lbf/s × 1.356 = 745.7 W (modern equivalent)

Persists: Still defines horsepower 240+ years later!

How do I calculate power in ft⋅lbf/min?

Formula: Power (ft⋅lbf/min) = Force (lbf) × Distance per minute (ft/min)

Examples:

  • Lifting 100 lb at 10 ft/min: 1,000 ft⋅lbf/min = 0.03 hp = 22.6 W
  • Winch pulling 500 lb at 20 ft/min: 10,000 ft⋅lbf/min = 0.3 hp = 226 W
  • Elevator lifting 2,000 lb at 100 ft/min: 200,000 ft⋅lbf/min = 6.06 hp = 4.52 kW

Modern practice: Convert to hp or kW for practical use.

Conversion Table: Ton of Refrigeration to Foot-pound per Minute

Ton of Refrigeration (TR)Foot-pound per Minute (ft⋅lb/min)
0.577,816.934
1155,633.868
1.5233,450.802
2311,267.737
5778,169.342
101,556,338.683
253,890,846.707
507,781,693.415
10015,563,386.829
25038,908,467.073
50077,816,934.147
1,000155,633,868.293

People Also Ask

How do I convert Ton of Refrigeration to Foot-pound per Minute?

To convert Ton of Refrigeration to Foot-pound per Minute, enter the value in Ton of Refrigeration 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 Ton of Refrigeration to Foot-pound per Minute?

The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Ton of Refrigeration and Foot-pound per Minute. 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 Foot-pound per Minute back to Ton of Refrigeration?

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

Learn more →

What are common uses for Ton of Refrigeration and Foot-pound per Minute?

Ton of Refrigeration and Foot-pound per Minute 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.

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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: December 3, 2025