Convert Tons of Refrigeration to BTU per Hour (TR to BTU/h)
1 ton of refrigeration (TR) equals 12000 BTU per hour (BTU/h).
1 TR = 12000 BTU/h
Type in either box. Scientific notation works: 1.5e-3.
Converting a list? Use the bulk refrigeration ton to BTU per hour converter to paste a column from Excel.
How to Convert Ton of Refrigeration to BTU per Hour
- 1 TR = 12000 BTU/h
- 1 BTU/h = 0.00008333333333 TR
- Example: convert 15 TR to BTU/h: 15 TR = 15 × 12000 BTU/h = 180000 BTU/h
Formula
BTU/h = TR × 12000
Derivation from SI units:
- 1 TR = 12 000 BTU/h = 3516.8528420667 W
- 1 BTU/h = 1055.05585262 J ÷ 3600 s = 0.29307107 W
- 1 TR = 3516.852842067 W ÷ 0.2930710701722 W per BTU/h = 12000 BTU/h
Both units are defined exactly, so the factor is exact. Ton of Refrigeration definition: ton of refrigeration; BTU per Hour definition: BTU per hour.
Worked examples
- 1 TR is exactly 12000 BTU/h.
1 TR × 12000 = 12000 BTU/h - A 2.5 TR system is 30000 BTU/h.
2.5 TR × 12000 = 30000 BTU/h
Ton of Refrigeration to BTU per Hour conversion table
| Tons of Refrigeration (TR) | BTU per Hour (BTU/h) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 TR | 6000 BTU/h |
| 0.75 TR | 9000 BTU/h |
| 1 TR | 12000 BTU/h |
| 1.5 TR | 18000 BTU/h |
| 2 TR | 24000 BTU/h |
| 2.5 TR | 30000 BTU/h |
| 3 TR | 36000 BTU/h |
| 3.5 TR | 42000 BTU/h |
| 4 TR | 48000 BTU/h |
| 5 TR | 60000 BTU/h |
| 7.5 TR | 90000 BTU/h |
| 10 TR | 120000 BTU/h |
| 20 TR | 240000 BTU/h |
| 50 TR | 600000 BTU/h |
| 100 TR | 1200000 BTU/h |
| 500 TR | 6000000 BTU/h |
| 1000 TR | 12000000 BTU/h |
Where it's used
Air-conditioner tonnage and BTU/h ratings describe the same capacity; one ton is exactly 12 000 BTU/h.
Ton of Refrigeration to other power units
| Conversion | 1 TR equals |
|---|---|
| refrigeration ton to watt | 3516.852842 W |
| refrigeration ton to milliwatt | 3516852.842 mW |
| refrigeration ton to kilowatt | 3.516852842 kW |
| refrigeration ton to megawatt | 0.003516852842 MW |
| refrigeration ton to horsepower | 4.716177347 hp |
| refrigeration ton to metric horsepower | 4.781589149 PS |
| refrigeration ton to BTU per hour | 12000 BTU/h |
| refrigeration ton to kilocalorie per hour | 3023.949133 kcal/h |
| refrigeration ton to foot-pound per second | 2593.897541 ft·lbf/s |
Frequently asked questions
Why is a ton 12 000 BTU/h?
It is the cooling from melting one short ton (2000 lb) of ice in 24 hours: 2000 × 144 BTU ÷ 24 h.
How many BTU per hour are in 1 ton of refrigeration?
1 TR = 12000 BTU/h.
How do I convert tons of refrigeration to BTU per hour?
Multiply the value in TR by 12000. For example, 15 TR × 12000 = 180000 BTU/h.
Is the TR to BTU/h conversion exact?
Yes. Both units are defined exactly, and 1 TR is exactly 12000 BTU/h.
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, "ton of refrigeration (12 000 Btu_IT/h)".
- 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".
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 Tons of Refrigeration to BTU per Hour (TR to BTU/h). Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://scientificconverters.com/power/tons-of-refrigeration-to-btu-per-hour/
IEEE
Scientific Converters, "Convert Tons of Refrigeration to BTU per Hour (TR to BTU/h)," scientificconverters.com. Accessed: Oct. 18, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://scientificconverters.com/power/tons-of-refrigeration-to-btu-per-hour/