1. What is a BTU to Watts Calculator?

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

Purpose: It helps in comparing heating systems, sizing electrical heating elements, and converting between different power 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/hr. This conversion factor comes from the exact definition of BTU in terms of joules.

3. Importance of BTU to Watts Conversion

Details: Many heating systems are rated in BTUs, while electrical systems use Watts. This conversion helps in system compatibility analysis and energy efficiency calculations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Simply enter the BTU/hr value (must be > 0) and click Calculate to get the equivalent power in Watts.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why 3.412 as the conversion factor?
A: This comes from the exact definition where 1 BTU equals approximately 1055.06 joules, and 1 Watt equals 1 joule/second.

Q2: Is this for BTU/hr or just BTU?
A: This calculator assumes BTU per hour (BTU/hr), which is the standard unit for heating capacity.

Q3: How accurate is this conversion?
A: The conversion factor is precise to several decimal places for most practical applications.

Q4: Can I convert Watts back to BTUs?
A: Yes, simply multiply Watts by 3.412 to get BTU/hr.

Q5: What's a typical BTU rating for home heaters?
A: Space heaters typically range from 5,000 to 30,000 BTU/hr, which converts to about 1,465 to 8,792 Watts.