BTU to kW Converter
Convert BTU per hour to kilowatts and kW to BTU/hr. Used for HVAC, heating, and electrical system calculations.
1 kW = 3,412 BTU/hr | 1 BTU/hr = 0.000293 kW
BTU/hr ↔ Kilowatt Calculator
Quick conversions:
BTU to kW Conversion Table
| BTU/hr | Kilowatts (kW) | Tons | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3,412 | 1.00 | 0.28 | 1 kW electric heater |
| 6,000 | 1.76 | 0.5 | Window AC unit |
| 12,000 | 3.52 | 1 | Mini-split, 1-ton AC |
| 18,000 | 5.28 | 1.5 | Large room cooling |
| 24,000 | 7.03 | 2 | Small home AC |
| 36,000 | 10.55 | 3 | Average home (3-ton AC) |
| 48,000 | 14.07 | 4 | Large home |
| 60,000 | 17.58 | 5 | Large home / light commercial |
| 100,000 | 29.31 | 8.33 | Commercial furnace |
| 120,000 | 35.17 | 10 | Large commercial system |
BTU to kW Conversion Formula
BTU/hr to kW
kW = BTU/hr ÷ 3,412
Example: 12,000 BTU/hr ÷ 3,412 = 3.517 kW
kW to BTU/hr
BTU/hr = kW × 3,412
Example: 5 kW × 3,412 = 17,060 BTU/hr
Key Relationships
• 1 ton of refrigeration = 12,000 BTU/hr = 3.517 kW
• 1 kW = 3,412 BTU/hr = 1.341 HP
• 1 kW = 1,000 watts
Frequently Asked Questions
How many BTU is 1 kW?
1 kilowatt equals 3,412.14 BTU per hour. This conversion is used when comparing electric heating equipment (rated in kW) with gas-fired equipment (rated in BTU/hr).
How many kW is 12,000 BTU?
12,000 BTU/hr equals 3.517 kW. This is exactly 1 ton of refrigeration — the capacity of a standard mini-split or window air conditioner.
Is kW the same as kWh?
No. kW (kilowatt) measures power — the rate of energy consumption. kWh (kilowatt-hour) measures energy — the total amount consumed over time. A 3.5 kW heater running for 2 hours uses 7 kWh. For BTU conversions, use kW (power), not kWh.
When do I use BTU vs kW?
BTU/hr is standard in the US for HVAC and gas equipment ratings. kW is used internationally and for electric heating equipment. When comparing a gas furnace (80,000 BTU/hr) with an electric heat pump, converting to the same unit makes comparison possible.
How do I calculate electricity cost from BTU?
First convert BTU/hr to kW (divide by 3,412), then multiply by hours of operation and your electricity rate. Example: 12,000 BTU/hr = 3.517 kW × 8 hours × $0.12/kWh = $3.38 per day in electricity cost.
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