Frequently Asked Questions — BTU/hr to Ton of Refrigeration
Question: What is a ton of refrigeration?
Answer: A ton of refrigeration (TR) is the cooling power needed to melt one short ton (2,000 lbs) of ice at 32°F in 24 hours. It equals exactly 12,000 BTU/hr or approximately 3,516.85 watts (3.517 kW).
Question: How many BTU/hr in 1 ton of refrigeration?
Answer: Exactly 12,000 BTU/hr. This is the basis for air conditioner sizing in the US — a 1-ton AC unit removes 12,000 BTU of heat per hour.
Question: How do I convert BTU/hr to tons?
Answer: Divide the BTU/hr value by 12,000. For example, 24,000 BTU/hr ÷ 12,000 = 2 tons.
Question: What is a 24,000 BTU/hr air conditioner in tons?
Answer: 24,000 ÷ 12,000 = 2 tons. A 24,000 BTU/hr unit is called a "2-ton" air conditioner.
Question: What is a 36,000 BTU/hr air conditioner in tons?
Answer: 36,000 ÷ 12,000 = 3 tons. A 3-ton unit is typical for cooling mid-size homes (1,500–2,000 sq ft).