Kilowatts To Btu
Calculator

Inputs

Power (BTU/h)
11,942.497

Results

Power (BTU/h)
11,942.497
Energy per day (BTU)
286,619.927999
Tons of refrigeration
0.995208

HVAC and plumbing results

Power (BTU/h)11,942.497
Energy per day (BTU)286,619.927999
Tons of refrigeration0.995208

formula-map diagram

Power (BTU/h)
11,942.497
Energy per day (BTU)
286,619.927999
Tons of refrigeration
0.995208

HVAC and plumbing relationship

Formula

BTU/h = kW × 3412.142

= 11942.497

Note

This is a simplified model: it applies a standard engineering formula to the numbers you entered. Conversions between BTU/h and kW use the exact factor 1 kW = 3412.142 BTU/h, but every sizing figure is an estimate. Air conditioner sizing uses the common 20 BTU/h per square foot rule of thumb, not a room-by-room load calculation, and it ignores insulation, glazing, orientation, ceiling height, infiltration and local climate. Heating loads use a single volumetric heat-loss factor in W/m³·K rather than a fabric-by-fabric U-value calculation. Air properties are fixed at 1.2 kg/m³ and water at 1000 kg/m³ and 4186 J/kg·K, with no correction for temperature, altitude or glycol. Duct and pipe results use the ideal continuity equation and ignore fittings, bends, roughness and system effect unless you enter those losses yourself. The Hazen-Williams equation is valid only for water in full turbulent flow at ordinary temperatures. Water hammer uses the Joukowsky surge, an upper bound for instant closure. Tank drainage assumes a prismatic tank and steady free discharge. Hot water recovery and condensate figures ignore standing losses and coil bypass. Size real systems with a proper heat-loss survey and have the work checked by a qualified HVAC or plumbing professional.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I convert kilowatts back to BTU per hour?+

Multiply the kilowatt figure by 3,412 to get BTU/hr. A 3.5 kW heater, for instance, is rated at roughly 11,942 BTU/hr, which is why it's commonly sold and marketed as a '12,000 BTU' unit.

Why do manufacturers round to figures like 9,000, 12,000, or 18,000 BTU?+

These are standard nominal sizes in the HVAC industry that correspond roughly to common kilowatt ratings (2.6, 3.5, 5.3 kW). Manufacturers round to these conventional steps so units are easy to compare and specify across brands.

Does a higher BTU rating always mean a more powerful unit?+

Yes for a given type of equipment — a higher BTU/hr rating means more heating or cooling energy delivered per hour — but you can't compare BTU ratings across fundamentally different technologies (like a furnace versus a heat pump) without also considering efficiency.

Is the kilowatt figure I enter the electrical power or the heat output?+

This conversion treats the kilowatt figure as thermal output (heating or cooling capacity), not electrical input. For heat pumps and air conditioners, the actual electricity consumed is lower than the thermal kW figure by a factor equal to the unit's efficiency rating.

Why would I need to convert kW to BTU at all?+

It's useful when comparing an appliance spec sheet listed in kilowatts (common in Europe) against BTU-rated products (common in North America), or when following installation guidelines that reference BTU capacity for room sizing.