BTU to HP Calculator – Convert Btu (IT)/hour to Horsepower

Convert Btu (IT)/hour to Horsepower

Easily convert BTU (British Thermal Units) per hour to Horsepower (HP) with this accurate online BTU to HP calculator.

What is BTU to HP Calculator

The unit “BTU (IT)/hour” (BTU/h) expresses a rate of heating or cooling energy not a total. It tells you how many British Thermal Units are delivered or consumed each hour.

In contrast, horsepower (hp) is a unit of power commonly used in the U.S. for engines and motors. Since both express power (energy per time) you can convert between them. For example, your calculator converts input in BTU/h into horsepower, and also provides the equivalent in kilowatts (kW) for broader global relevance.

How to use the calculator

  1. Enter the value of BTU (IT)/hour in the From field (for example, 12 000).
  2. Ensure the units label says “From: Btu (IT)/hour”.
  3. Click Convert. The To field will display the equivalent horsepower value (for example ~4.72 hp).
  4. The calculator also shows the equivalent kilowatt (kW) value below.
  5. To reverse the conversion (hp → BTU/h), click Swap units, enter the horsepower value, and convert.
  6. Use the precision selector if you want more or fewer decimal places (2-10).

How it works

Every conversion is based on the fact that both BTU/h and horsepower are units of power (energy per unit time). The key is the fixed relationship between them:

  • According to reliable conversion tables, 1 Btu/h = 0.0003930148 hp.
  • And inversely, 1 hp = 2,544.4335776441 Btu/h.
hp = BTU/h × 0.0003930148  
BTU/h = hp × 2,544.4336

Underlying formulas

From BTU/h → hp:

Horsepower (hp)=BTU/h×0.0003930148

From hp → BTU/h:

BTU/h=Horsepower (hp)×2,544.4335776441

And equivalent kilowatts (kW):

kW=hp×0.745699872

or you can use

kW=BTU/h×0.00029307107

FAQ

Q1. What’s the difference between BTU/h and BTU?

  • BTU (British Thermal Unit) measures total energy.
  • BTU/h measures the rate of energy use or output (power).
    If a system delivers 10,000 BTU/h, it means it outputs 10,000 BTUs every hour.

Q2. Is this calculator accurate for industrial calculations?

A: Yes, the conversion factor (1 BTU/h = 0.0003930148 hp) follows industry-standard references like ASHRAE and NIST. The results are suitable for both educational and practical engineering purposes.

Q3. What are typical BTU/h ratings for home air conditioners?

  • Small room: 5,000–8,000 BTU/h (≈ 2 – 3 hp)
  • Medium room: 10,000–12,000 BTU/h (≈ 4 – 5 hp)
  • Large space: 18,000–24,000 BTU/h (≈ 7 – 9 hp).