How to Convert Watts to BTU/hr
- What Is the Difference Between Watts and BTU/hr?
- How to Convert Watts to BTU/hr
- How to Convert BTU/hr to Watts
- Why Do Air Conditioners Use BTU/hr?
- How Many Watts Does an Air Conditioner Need?
- How to Choose a Power Station for an Air Conditioner
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions About Watts and BTU/hr
Watts and BTU/hr are both measures of power. However, they measure different things. Watts are most often used to measure electrical power, while BTU/hr is most often used to measure the rate of heat transfer, such as the amount of cooling an air conditioner will provide. Being able to convert between watts and btu/hr (and vice versa) allows you to make comparisons that would otherwise be difficult.
This article provides a basic formula for converting from one type of measurement to another, example problems that demonstrate each formula, and conversion tables to make the process easier. It also discusses how AC efficiency affects electricity use and how to find a suitable generator for portable cooling.
What Is the Difference Between Watts and BTU/hr?
What is Watts?
Watts measure power, i.e., the rate at which energy is either consumed or transferred. This unit is most often used to describe the electrical characteristics (e.g., power consumption) of devices, appliances, and electronics.
What is BTU/hr?
BTU/hr describes the rate of heat flow from one object to another. It's used in many applications for measuring the heating or cooling capacity of HVAC equipment, such as air conditioners.
The Difference
Although both are rates of energy transfer, they are not equivalent. For example, an AC may have a BTU/hr rating indicating its cooling capacity, as well as an electrical wattage rating indicating how much electricity it will consume. The efficiency of an AC is related to how efficiently it cools relative to the power it consumes.
How to Convert Watts to BTU/hr
To change from watts (watts) to Btu/h (Btu/hr), you can use the formula below:
BTU/hr = WATTS × 3.412
This means that for every 1 Watt, there are 3.412 BTU in 1 hour. Simply multiply your watts by 3.412 to get BTU/hr. For instance, if we have 500 watts, we would have approximately 1706 Btu/hr. As with the first method, this is a direct conversion of electrical input into thermal energy and does not reflect the unit's actual electrical draw or cooling capability.
Watts to BTU/hr Conversion Table
Watts | BTU/hr |
100 W | 341 BTU/hr |
250 W | 853 BTU/hr |
500 W | 1,706 BTU/hr |
750 W | 2,559 BTU/hr |
1,000 W | 3,412 BTU/hr |
1,500 W | 5,118 BTU/hr |
2,000 W | 6,824 BTU/hr |
3,000 W | 10,237 BTU/hr |
How to Convert BTU/hr to Watts
To convert from BTU per hour to watts, use this inverse version of the conversion that is used when converting from Watts to BTU/hr:
Watts = BTU/hr × 0.293
You can also divide the BTU/hr value by 3.412:
Watts = BTU/hr ÷ 3.412
Since there are about 0.293 watts per BTU/hr, you simply need to multiply the number of BTUs per hour by 0.293 to determine your units in watts.
BTU/hr to Watts Examples:
1,000 BTU/hr ≈ 293 watts
5,000 BTU/hr ≈ 1,465 watts
8,000 BTU/hr ≈ 2,345 watts
10,000 BTU/hr ≈ 2,931 watts
12,000 BTU/hr ≈ 3,517 watts
Using these equations will give you the equivalent wattage for a specific BTU/hr thermal output. However, these values do not indicate how much electricity an HVAC unit draws when powered up. The amount of electricity drawn by an air conditioning unit depends on both its operating efficiency and conditions at the time of use.
Why Do Air Conditioners Use BTU/hr?
BTUs for air conditioners and heaters are often used to rate air conditioning units' ability to cool a space. It measures the total amount of heat removed from a space over a period of time. This measurement is different from measuring the power requirements in watts.
Watts measure the total amount of electrical energy being drawn into the unit. Many specifications will include information on both BTU/hr and wattage ratings.
If you are going to draw too many conclusions based upon the conversion of one value into another (i.e., converting an AC's BTU/hr rating to watts), there may be some misleading results. If you convert an AC's BTU/hr rating to watts, you are essentially getting a measure of the AC's thermal capacity, but not necessarily the actual electrical consumption.
BTU/hr vs. Electrical Watts for an Air Conditioner
A 12,000 BTU/hr air conditioning unit has approximately 3,517 watts of thermal cooling capacity. Although this unit has a high cooling capacity (approximately 3,517 watts), it may use less electrical energy depending on its efficiency, operating conditions, and design.
How Many Watts Does an Air Conditioner Need?
The electrical usage of an air conditioning unit depends on many factors, including the unit's size and type (model), its BTU/hr cooling capacity, efficiency, and operating conditions. Rather than convert the BTU/hr rating to Watts and use that as the power requirement, look up the manufacturer's rated electrical input in Watts. Consider the AC's EER, SEER, etc. Also consider the AC's running and start-up power requirements.
EcoFlow WAVE 3 Portable Air Conditioner
The EcoFlow WAVE 3 Portable Air Conditioner demonstrates why both measurements are important. The unit has a rated cooling capacity of 6,100 BTUs and draws 690 Watts when plugged into AC power or 640 Watts when powered from DC Power. This makes BTU/hr helpful for determining cooling capacity, while wattage is necessary to determine whether you have enough electrical capacity to run the unit.
Because of its small size and light weight, the WAVE 3 can easily be taken on camping trips, RV vacations, glamping excursions, and other temporary camping-type adventures. So, when choosing a portable cooler, you should consider the unit's BTU/hr rating and its electrical power requirements.
How to Choose a Power Station for an Air Conditioner
Choosing a power station for an air conditioner centers on two important factors when using a portable power station. The amount of energy the air conditioner needs to cool (watts) versus the Air Conditioner's BTU/hr rating, which indicates how well the unit cools.
Check the Air Conditioner's Electrical Input
Refer to the manufacturer's specs to find the operating wattage and startup requirements for your air conditioner. In addition to providing continuous output to support the operation of the appliance, your power station needs to accommodate the air conditioner's higher power draw during its startup cycle. Therefore, it would be best to use the air conditioner's rated electrical input as your initial reference point when evaluating potential power stations, rather than converting its BTU/hour rating to watts.
Consider Battery Capacity
In addition to determining if a power station has sufficient output (watts) to run your air conditioner, the amount of energy stored within the battery (measured in wh or watt-hours) dictates how long you can use the power station. In other words, more capacity means longer runtime, and more than adequate output is necessary to ensure the air conditioner runs correctly before you even start thinking about runtime.
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus Portable Power Station
The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus Portable Power Station features 1,024Wh of storage, 1,800W of AC output, and is ideal for shorter camping trips, RV travel, outdoor recreation, and portable cooling applications. Additionally, this model supports capacity expansion, enabling extended runtime. Just make sure your air conditioner’s electrical requirements are no greater than the power station's.
Conclusion
Converting from Watts to BTU/hour is easy; just multiply the number of Watts by 3.412. To convert BTU/hr back to watts, multiply by 0.293 (or divide by 3.412). Keep in mind that the above conversions represent a unit of thermal power, not the amount of electricity an air conditioner actually uses.
Before purchasing a portable cooler and Portable Power Station, determine the electrical input required by the appliance(s) you plan to use to cool your space, and the maximum electrical output of your power station.
Frequently Asked Questions About Watts and BTU/hr
How many BTU/hr are in 1 watt?
One (1) watt equals approximately three point four twelve (3.412) BTU/hour. This is a direct unit conversion from power to energy and does not represent any electrical usage by an air conditioner.
How many watts are in 1 BTU/hr?
One (1) BTU/hour equals approximately zero point two nine three (0.293) watts. You can use this conversion to compare thermal power to its equivalent wattage.
How do you convert watts to BTU/hr?
You multiply the wattage by 3.412. For example, if we multiply 1000 watts by 3.412, we get 3412 BTU/hr.
How do you convert BTU/hr to watts?
You either divide or multiply the BTU/hour value by .293. For instance, 10,000 BTU/hr × 0.293 = approximately 2,929.5 watts. As for converting BTU to kWh, start by dividing the BTU/hr value by 3,412. Therefore,10,000 BTU/hr ÷ 3,412 = approximately 2.93 kWh.
How many watts is 12,000 BTU/hr?
12,000 BTU/hr is approximately 3,517 watts of thermal power. For an air conditioner, it does not necessarily mean the unit's electrical draw will be 3517 watts. Actual electrical consumption depends on the AC’s rated input power and efficiency.
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