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Engineering Calculators

kW, HP, BTU, Ton Converter

Instructions:

Enter the value of the unit to convert

  1. Review the methodology to make sure it aligns with your project's requirements.

  2. Select one of the following unit types:

    • Btu/hour​

    • foot pound-force/hour

    • horsepower

    • kilowatt

    • MBH

    • pound-foot/hour

    • ton (refrigeration)

    • watt

  3. The Results table will calculate and auto-populate all the conversions.

kilowatt

Also calculated
Btu/hour
foot pound-force/hour
horsepower
MBH
pound-foot/hour
ton (refrigeration)
watt

"foot pound-force/hour" and "pound-foot/hour" are two names for the same unit, and the original carries both with the same conversion factor. Both rows are kept so the results match the published page.

🔧 Power Conversion Calculator Methodology


Overview


This calculator converts between common units of power and energy rate used in HVAC design, mechanical engineering, and energy analysis.


All conversions are based on standardized constants defined by ASHRAE Fundamentals (2021), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and NIST.


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Conversion Formulas


From 1 Btu/hr                     Multiply by                                                   To Get


778.169                                  foot-pound-force/hour                   P_(ft⋅lb/h)=778.169×P_(Btu/h)


0.000293071                      kilowatt                                                      P_kW=0.000293071×P_(Btu/h)


0.293071                                watt                                                              P_W=0.293071×P_(Btu/h)


1/1000                                    MBH                                                              P_MBH=P_(Btu/h)/1000


1/12,000                                ton (refrigeration)                                P_ton=P_(Btu/h)/(12,000)


1/2544.43                          horsepower                                                P_hp=P_(Btu/h)/(2544.43)
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Worked Example


Convert 900 Btu/hr to all other units:

P_kW =900×0.000293071 = 0.2638 kW 

P_hp=900/2544.43=0.354 hp 

P_ton=900/12,000=0.075 ton (refrigeration)

P_W=900×0.293071=264 W

P_MBH=900/1000=0.90 MBH

Resulting conversions match standard HVAC reference tables and can be cross-checked in the ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals, Chapter 1 (Units and Conversion Factors).



References

  •    ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals (2021), Ch. 1 “Units and Conversions”

  •    U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Units and Conversions Fact Sheet

  •    NIST SP 811, Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI)

Disclaimer
Results are intended for preliminary engineering estimates. Adicot Inc. makes no guarantee of accuracy for design or code-compliance documentation.

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