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The conversion between cooling tons and BTU/hr (British Thermal Units per hour) is essential in HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems. One ton of cooling capacity represents the amount of heat required to melt one ton of ice in 24 hours, equivalent to 12,000 BTU per hour.
The calculator uses the standard conversion formula:
Where:
Explanation: This conversion is based on the historical definition where one ton of refrigeration equals the cooling effect of melting one ton of ice over 24 hours.
Details: Accurate conversion between tons and BTU/hr is crucial for proper HVAC system sizing, energy efficiency calculations, equipment selection, and compliance with building codes and standards.
Tips: Enter the cooling capacity in tons. The value must be positive and greater than zero. The calculator will automatically convert to BTU/hr using the standard conversion factor.
Q1: Why is 1 ton equal to 12,000 BTU/hr?
A: This originates from the early days of refrigeration when ice was used for cooling. Melting one ton (2,000 lbs) of ice in 24 hours requires absorbing 288,000 BTU, which equals 12,000 BTU per hour.
Q2: What is the difference between cooling tons and weight tons?
A: Cooling tons refer to cooling capacity, not weight. One cooling ton equals 12,000 BTU/hr, while one weight ton equals 2,000 pounds.
Q3: How accurate is this conversion?
A: The conversion is mathematically exact - 1 ton always equals exactly 12,000 BTU/hr in standard HVAC calculations.
Q4: When is this conversion used?
A: Primarily in HVAC system design, equipment specification, energy calculations, and when comparing cooling capacities across different measurement systems.
Q5: Are there different ton definitions in other countries?
A: While the 12,000 BTU/hr per ton is standard in the US, some countries may use metric tons or other local variations, though the principle remains similar.