How many BTU/hr is 1 kilowatt?

1 kilowatt equals 3,412.14 BTU per hour. This is an exact thermodynamic conversion: 1 Wh = 3.41214 BTU, so 1 kW (= 1,000 W = 1,000 Wh of power rate) = 3,412.14 BTU/hr.

Why does HVAC use BTU/hr instead of watts?

BTU/hr is the traditional US unit for heating and cooling capacity. It predates the adoption of SI units and remains dominant in North American HVAC standards, equipment labels, and building codes. Most of the world uses kW, which is why conversion is frequently needed.

How do I convert BTU/hr back to kilowatts?

Divide BTU/hr by 3,412.14 to get kilowatts. For example, 12,000 BTU/hr ÷ 3,412.14 ≈ 3.517 kW — this is why a "1-ton" air conditioner is often described as roughly 3.5 kW.

What is a "ton" of refrigeration in kW and BTU/hr?

One ton of refrigeration equals 12,000 BTU/hr or approximately 3.517 kW. Residential AC units are commonly sized in tons (1.5, 2, 3, 4, or 5 ton), so a 3-ton unit produces 36,000 BTU/hr ≈ 10.55 kW of cooling.

Is this converter suitable for electric heater sizing?

Yes. Electric heaters convert all electrical input to heat at 100% efficiency, so a 2 kW electric panel heater outputs exactly 6,824 BTU/hr. Heat pumps are more complex — their heating output exceeds electrical input — but this tool correctly converts their rated capacities.

Kilowatts to BTU per Hour Converter

Enter kilowatts and get the equivalent BTU per hour instantly — useful for HVAC, heating, and cooling system sizing.

Kilowatts (kW)

Enter kilowatts

Enter a kilowatt value above to see the result.

Common kW to BTU/hr Values

Kilowatts (kW)	BTU/hr

1 kW = 3,412.14 BTU/hr | Exact factor: 3,412.142 BTU/hr per kW

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Summary

This converter transforms kilowatts (kW) into British Thermal Units per hour (BTU/hr), the two most common power units in heating and cooling work. One kilowatt equals exactly 3,412.14 BTU/hr, a fixed conversion factor derived from thermodynamic definitions. Use this tool when comparing HVAC equipment ratings, sizing air conditioners, calculating furnace output, or working with any heating or cooling load that mixes metric and imperial specs.

How it works

Enter the kilowatt value you want to convert.
The tool multiplies your input by 3,412.14 (the exact kW-to-BTU/hr factor).
The result appears instantly in BTU per hour.
Use the batch table to see conversions for common kW values at a glance.
Switch direction with the reverse link to convert BTU/hr back to kW.

Use cases

Size an air conditioner or heat pump when specs are listed in kW but your load is in BTU/hr.
Compare European and North American HVAC equipment ratings.
Calculate the BTU/hr output of an electric baseboard heater rated in kilowatts.
Verify that a generator or UPS can supply enough power to run HVAC cooling loads.
Convert chiller capacity from kW to BTU/hr for commercial cooling design.
Cross-check furnace output figures supplied in mixed units on spec sheets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-19 · Reviewed by Nham Vu