1. What is a BTU to Watts Calculator?

Definition: This calculator converts British Thermal Units per hour (BTU/h) to Watts (W), the standard unit of power in the International System of Units.

Purpose: It helps in comparing heating/cooling capacities between systems that use different measurement units.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( W \) — Power in Watts
• \( BTU \) — British Thermal Units per hour

Explanation: 1 Watt equals approximately 3.412 BTU per hour, so we divide BTU/h by this conversion factor.

3. Importance of Power Unit Conversion

Details: Converting between units ensures accurate system specifications, energy efficiency calculations, and proper equipment selection.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Simply enter the BTU/h value and the calculator will instantly provide the equivalent in Watts. Value must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why 3.412 as the conversion factor?
A: This exact value comes from the International Steam Table calorie definition where 1 Watt = 3.41214 BTU/h (commonly rounded to 3.412).

Q2: What's a typical BTU rating for air conditioners?
A: Residential AC units typically range from 5,000 BTU/h (1.5 kW) to 36,000 BTU/h (10.5 kW) for central systems.

Q3: Can I convert Watts back to BTU?
A: Yes, multiply Watts by 3.412 to get BTU/h (the inverse of our formula).

Q4: Is this conversion affected by voltage or current?
A: No, this is a direct power conversion independent of electrical characteristics.

Q5: How precise is this conversion?
A: The 3.412 factor provides precision to 0.1% for most practical applications.