How many BTUs are present in one ton of air conditioning?

One ton of air conditioning is equal to 12,000 BTUs per hour. This measurement comes from the amount of heat required to melt one ton of ice in a 24-hour period, which is a standard used in the HVAC industry. Therefore, when we say that a unit has a capacity of one ton, it implies that it can remove or add 12,000 BTUs of heat in one hour.

Understanding this conversion is crucial for HVAC professionals when sizing systems for specific applications, as it helps determine the cooling load needed for a particular area. The tonnage rating directly influences the efficiency and effectiveness of the cooling system, making it imperative for technicians to accurately identify the required tonnage based on the heat load calculations of a space.