Convert BTU per Hour to Tons of Refrigeration
1 BTU per hour (BTU/h) equals 0.00008333333333 tons of refrigeration (TR).
1 BTU/h = 0.00008333333333 TR
Type in either box. Scientific notation works: 1.5e-3.
Converting a list? Use the bulk BTU per hour to refrigeration ton converter to paste a column from Excel.
How to Convert BTU per Hour to Ton of Refrigeration
- 1 BTU/h = 0.00008333333333 TR
- 1 TR = 12000 BTU/h
- Example: convert 15 BTU/h to TR: 15 BTU/h = 15 × 0.00008333333333 TR = 0.00125 TR
Formula
TR = BTU/h ÷ 12000
Derivation from SI units:
- 1 BTU/h = 1055.05585262 J ÷ 3600 s = 0.29307107 W
- 1 TR = 12 000 BTU/h = 3516.8528420667 W
- 1 BTU/h = 0.2930710701722 W ÷ 3516.852842067 W per TR = 0.00008333333333333 TR
Both units are defined exactly, so the factor is exact. BTU per Hour definition: BTU per hour; Ton of Refrigeration definition: ton of refrigeration.
Worked examples
- A 24000 BTU/h air conditioner is 2 TR.
24000 BTU/h × 0.00008333333333 = 2 TR - A 60000 BTU/h rooftop unit is 5 TR.
60000 BTU/h × 0.00008333333333 = 5 TR
BTU per Hour to Ton of Refrigeration conversion table
| BTU per Hour (BTU/h) | Tons of Refrigeration (TR) |
|---|---|
| 1000 BTU/h | 0.08333333333 TR |
| 3412 BTU/h | 0.2843333333 TR |
| 5000 BTU/h | 0.4166666667 TR |
| 6000 BTU/h | 0.5 TR |
| 8000 BTU/h | 0.6666666667 TR |
| 9000 BTU/h | 0.75 TR |
| 10000 BTU/h | 0.8333333333 TR |
| 12000 BTU/h | 1 TR |
| 18000 BTU/h | 1.5 TR |
| 24000 BTU/h | 2 TR |
| 36000 BTU/h | 3 TR |
| 48000 BTU/h | 4 TR |
| 60000 BTU/h | 5 TR |
| 80000 BTU/h | 6.666666667 TR |
| 100000 BTU/h | 8.333333333 TR |
Where it's used
BTU/h ratings are converted to tons to size condensers, ducts (≈ 400 CFM per ton) and refrigerant piping.
BTU per Hour to other power units
| Conversion | 1 BTU/h equals |
|---|---|
| BTU per hour to watt | 0.2930710702 W |
| BTU per hour to milliwatt | 293.0710702 mW |
| BTU per hour to kilowatt | 0.0002930710702 kW |
| BTU per hour to megawatt | 2.930710702 × 10⁻⁷ MW |
| BTU per hour to horsepower | 0.0003930147789 hp |
| BTU per hour to metric horsepower | 0.0003984657624 PS |
| BTU per hour to refrigeration ton | 0.00008333333333 TR |
| BTU per hour to kilocalorie per hour | 0.2519957611 kcal/h |
| BTU per hour to foot-pound per second | 0.2161581284 ft·lbf/s |
Frequently asked questions
How many tons is 36 000 BTU?
36 000 BTU/h = 3 TR.
How many tons of refrigeration are in 1 BTU per hour?
1 BTU/h = 0.00008333333333 TR.
How do I convert BTU per hour to tons of refrigeration?
Multiply the value in BTU/h by 0.00008333333333, or divide it by 12000. For example, 15 BTU/h × 0.00008333333333 = 0.00125 TR.
Is the BTU/h to TR conversion exact?
Yes. Both units are defined exactly, so the ratio is exact; its decimal form does not terminate and is shown here to 10 significant figures (more with the precision selector).
Sources
- Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI), NIST Special Publication 811, 2008 Edition, National Institute of Standards and Technology , Appendix B.8, "British thermal unit_IT per hour".
- Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI), NIST Special Publication 811, 2008 Edition, National Institute of Standards and Technology , Appendix B.8, "ton of refrigeration (12 000 Btu_IT/h)".
Last reviewed: . Factors are stored exactly and computed with 50-digit decimal arithmetic. See how we verify conversion factors.
Cite this page
APA
Scientific Converters. (2026, October 15). Convert BTU per Hour to Tons of Refrigeration. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://scientificconverters.com/power/btu-per-hour-to-tons-of-refrigeration/
IEEE
Scientific Converters, "Convert BTU per Hour to Tons of Refrigeration," scientificconverters.com. Accessed: Oct. 17, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://scientificconverters.com/power/btu-per-hour-to-tons-of-refrigeration/