BTU/Hour to Kilowatt Converter (BTU/h to kW)

How to Convert BTU/Hour to Kilowatt

The formula to convert BTU/Hour (BTU/h) to Kilowatt (kW) is:

Reverse formula — Kilowatt to BTU/h:

Step-by-step example — Convert 12,000 BTU/h to kW:

Common examples:

• 3,412 BTU/h = 1 kW (key reference!)
• 6,000 BTU/h = 1.758 kW (0.5-ton AC)
• 12,000 BTU/h = 3.517 kW (1-ton AC)
• 18,000 BTU/h = 5.275 kW (1.5-ton AC)
• 24,000 BTU/h = 7.034 kW (2-ton AC)

What is BTU/Hour?

BTU/Hour (British Thermal Units per hour) is a unit of power measuring how fast heat energy is transferred. One BTU is the amount of heat needed to raise one pound of water by 1°F. BTU/h is the standard unit for rating air conditioner and heater capacity in the United States. In India, AC capacity is commonly expressed in "tons" — where 1 ton = 12,000 BTU/h.

What is Kilowatt?

A kilowatt (kW) is equal to 1,000 watts and is the standard metric unit of power. It is used globally for measuring electrical power — in appliances, solar panels, electric vehicles, and electricity billing. In India and Europe, AC capacity is often expressed in kW rather than BTU/h or tons. Your electricity bill is calculated in kWh (kilowatt-hours) — understanding kW helps estimate monthly costs.

AC Capacity — BTU/h to kW Chart

This is the most common real-world use of this conversion:

AC Capacity (Tons)	BTU/Hour	Kilowatt (kW)	Room Size
0.75 ton	9,000 BTU/h	2.638 kW	Up to 100 sq ft
1.0 ton	12,000 BTU/h	3.517 kW	100–150 sq ft
1.5 ton	18,000 BTU/h	5.275 kW	150–200 sq ft
2.0 ton	24,000 BTU/h	7.034 kW	200–300 sq ft
2.5 ton	30,000 BTU/h	8.792 kW	300–400 sq ft
3.0 ton	36,000 BTU/h	10.550 kW	400–500 sq ft
5.0 ton	60,000 BTU/h	17.584 kW	Large commercial

General BTU/h to kW Reference Chart

BTU/Hour (BTU/h)	Kilowatt (kW)
1,000 BTU/h	0.293 kW
2,000 BTU/h	0.586 kW
3,412 BTU/h	1.000 kW
5,000 BTU/h	1.465 kW
10,000 BTU/h	2.931 kW
12,000 BTU/h	3.517 kW
20,000 BTU/h	5.861 kW
50,000 BTU/h	14.654 kW
100,000 BTU/h	29.307 kW

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert BTU/hour to kilowatt?

Multiply BTU/h by 0.00029307. Formula: kW = BTU/h × 0.00029307. Example: 12,000 BTU/h × 0.00029307 = 3.517 kW.

How many BTU/hour is 1 kilowatt?

1 kW = 3,412.14 BTU/hour. This is the standard conversion factor for energy and HVAC calculations.

What is 12,000 BTU/h in kilowatts?

12,000 BTU/h = 3.517 kW. This is the cooling capacity of a 1-ton air conditioner — the most common AC size in India.

What is 1 ton AC in kW?

1 ton AC = 12,000 BTU/h = 3.517 kW. A 1.5 ton AC = 5.275 kW. A 2 ton AC = 7.034 kW.

Why is BTU/h to kW conversion important?

AC capacity is rated in BTU/h in the US but in kW in India and Europe. Converting helps compare AC models, calculate electricity costs, and correctly size HVAC systems for rooms and buildings.

What is 5,000 BTU/h in kW?

5,000 BTU/h = 1.465 kW. This is a small window AC unit suitable for rooms up to 150 square feet.