Capacity units
Cooling capacity: tons of refrigeration to kW and BTU/h
- where
- capacity (kW)
- capacity (tons of refrigeration)
- capacity (BTU/h)
Explain this equation
Converts a capacity in tons of refrigeration into kW and BTU per hour. Use it for chillers and large condensing units rated in tons.
TR is the capacity in tons of refrigeration. 3.5168528 is the kW in one ton and 12 000 the BTU/h in one ton.
The ton of refrigeration is defined as 12 000 BTU per hour, so these are fixed multipliers.
Sense check: a 10 TR chiller is about 35 kW of cooling; a 100 TR chiller about 352 kW.
Watch out: a ton of refrigeration has nothing to do with tonnes of refrigerant charge or tonnes of CO₂ equivalent under the F-gas rules.
Converts chiller or condensing-unit capacity in tons of refrigeration to kW and BTU/h.
Enter your values to see the result.
Good to know
One ton of refrigeration (US) = 12 000 BTU/h = 3.517 kW. It is not related to the tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (charge in kg × GWP ÷ 1000) used for F-gas thresholds.
Common mistake
Confusing tons of refrigeration with tonnes of CO₂ equivalent used in F-gas leak-check thresholds.
Limits
Pure unit conversion (US refrigeration ton).
Sources
Results are calculations from the published methods and figures shown, and depend on the data you enter. Follow the equipment manufacturer’s data, CIBSE guidance, BS EN 378, the F-gas Regulations and your company procedures. Refrigerant work needs the correct F-gas certification.