How to convert BTU per hour to watts
- Take the value in BTU per hour.
- Use the formula watts = BTU per hour × 0.2930710702.
- For example, 5,000 BTU/h is 1,465.36 W.
About BTU per hour and watts
A BTU per hour is a rate of heat flow: one British thermal unit (1,055.06 joules) every hour. That works out to 0.293071 watts, so multiply BTU/h by 0.293 to get watts, or divide by 3.412. For a quick estimate divide by 3.4.
Air conditioners, mini-splits, furnaces and patio heaters sold in the US are rated in BTU/h, often written just “BTU”. Europe and most of the world rate the same machines in kW or W. The rating is heating or cooling output, not the electricity the unit uses: an air conditioner or heat pump moves more heat than it draws in power.
Examples
- 5,000 BTU/h (a small window air conditioner) is 1,465.36 W
- 12,000 BTU/h (one ton of cooling) is 3,516.85 W
- 24,000 BTU/h (a 2-ton central air system) is 7,033.71 W
- 60,000 BTU/h (a 60,000 BTU/h gas furnace, an illustrative size) is 17,584.26 W
BTU per hour to watts chart
| BTU per hour (BTU/h) | Watts (W) |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | 293.07 |
| 2,000 | 586.14 |
| 3,000 | 879.21 |
| 4,000 | 1,172.28 |
| 5,000 | 1,465.36 |
| 6,000 | 1,758.43 |
| 8,000 | 2,344.57 |
| 9,000 | 2,637.64 |
| 10,000 | 2,930.71 |
| 12,000 | 3,516.85 |
| 15,000 | 4,396.07 |
| BTU per hour (BTU/h) | Watts (W) |
|---|---|
| 18,000 | 5,275.28 |
| 20,000 | 5,861.42 |
| 24,000 | 7,033.71 |
| 30,000 | 8,792.13 |
| 36,000 | 10,550.56 |
| 40,000 | 11,722.84 |
| 48,000 | 14,067.41 |
| 50,000 | 14,653.55 |
| 60,000 | 17,584.26 |
| 80,000 | 23,445.69 |
| 100,000 | 29,307.11 |