1. What is kW to BTU/hr Conversion?

The kW to BTU/hr conversion is used to convert power measurements from kilowatts (kW) to British Thermal Units per hour (BTU/hr). This conversion is particularly important in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and energy calculations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the conversion formula:

Where:

• \( kW \) — Power in kilowatts
• \( 3412.142 \) — Conversion factor (1 kW = 3412.142 BTU/hr)

Explanation: The conversion factor 3412.142 represents the number of BTU per hour equivalent to one kilowatt of power.

3. Importance of Power Conversion

Details: Accurate power conversion between kW and BTU/hr is essential for HVAC system design, energy efficiency calculations, equipment sizing, and comparing heating/cooling capacities across different measurement systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the power value in kilowatts (kW). The value must be a non-negative number. The calculator will automatically compute the equivalent BTU/hr value.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the conversion factor 3412.142?
A: This factor comes from the definition of BTU and watt: 1 BTU = 1055.05585 joules and 1 watt = 1 joule/second, so 1 kW = 1000 * 3600 / 1055.05585 ≈ 3412.142 BTU/hr.

Q2: When is this conversion typically used?
A: This conversion is commonly used in HVAC industry, energy management, heating system design, and when comparing equipment specifications that use different power units.

Q3: How accurate is this conversion?
A: The conversion using 3412.142 is highly accurate for most practical applications. Some sources may use 3412 for simplicity, but this calculator uses the more precise value.

Q4: Can I convert BTU/hr back to kW?
A: Yes, to convert back, divide BTU/hr by 3412.142: kW = BTU/hr ÷ 3412.142.

Q5: Are there different types of BTU?
A: The conversion uses the International Steam Table (IT) BTU, which is the most commonly used definition in engineering applications (1 IT BTU = 1055.05585 joules).