Converter
BTU to kW
12,000 BTU/h = 3.52 kW of cooling (1 ton of refrigeration). Multiply BTU/h by 0.000293 to get kilowatts, or use the converter below in either direction.
12,000 BTU/h = 3.52 kW
Common AC sizes: BTU → kW
| BTU/h | kW cooling | Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 | 1.47 | 0.42 |
| 6,000 | 1.76 | 0.5 |
| 8,000 | 2.35 | 0.67 |
| 9,000 | 2.64 | 0.75 |
| 10,000 | 2.93 | 0.83 |
| 12,000 | 3.52 | 1 |
| 15,000 | 4.4 | 1.25 |
| 18,000 | 5.28 | 1.5 |
| 24,000 | 7.04 | 2 |
| 30,000 | 8.8 | 2.5 |
| 36,000 | 10.56 | 3 |
| 48,000 | 14.08 | 4 |
| 60,000 | 17.6 | 5 |
Working in tons? See BTU to tons, or size a room from scratch with the BTU calculator.
FAQ
- How do I convert BTU to kW?
- Divide BTU/h by 12,000 to get tons, then multiply by 3.52 — or simply multiply BTU/h by 0.000293. A 12,000 BTU/h (1 ton) air conditioner delivers about 3.5 kW of cooling.
- Is kW here cooling capacity or power consumption?
- Cooling capacity. The electrical draw is far lower: divide cooling kW by the unit's EER-based efficiency ratio (COP), typically 2.8–4. A 3.5 kW-cooling unit usually consumes about 1 kW of electricity.
- What is 9,000 BTU in kW?
- 9,000 BTU/h is about 2.6 kW of cooling — the typical smallest mini-split size, often marketed as a 2.5 kW or 2.6 kW unit in metric markets.