BTU is an energy unit
Btu, short for British thermal unit, measures energy. NIST Federal Standard 376B lists the International Table Btu as 1.055056 kilojoules.
HVAC labels usually use BTU/h
HVAC capacity is a rate of heat transfer, so labels normally use BTU per hour. BTU/h can be converted to watts because both are rates of energy transfer.
Tons are capacity too
One refrigeration ton is 12,000 BTU/h. It is a capacity shorthand, not a measure of equipment weight or electrical demand.
Convert a BTU value
Convert BTU/h, watts, kilowatts, and refrigeration tons from one capacity value.
Open BTU CalculatorFAQ
Does more BTU always mean more electricity use?
No. Capacity and input power are different quantities; efficiency and operating conditions determine the relationship.
Can I size a room from BTU alone?
A capacity label alone is not a load calculation. Use a recognized load method for final equipment selection.