Convert BTU per Hour to Metric Horsepower (BTU/h → PS)
BTU per hour is the standard rating for American heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration system capacity.
BTU per Hour to Metric Horsepower Conversion Table
10 common values| BTU per Hour | Metric Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 1 BTU/h | 0.000398 PS |
| 5 BTU/h | 0.001992 PS |
| 10 BTU/h | 0.003985 PS |
| 50 BTU/h | 0.019923 PS |
| 100 BTU/h | 0.039847 PS |
| 500 BTU/h | 0.199233 PS |
| 1,000 BTU/h | 0.398466 PS |
| 5,000 BTU/h | 1.992329 PS |
| 10,000 BTU/h | 3.984658 PS |
| 50,000 BTU/h | 19.923288 PS |
How to Convert BTU per Hour to Metric Horsepower Manually
Step by StepConverting BTU per hour to metric horsepower is straightforward: multiply by the conversion factor. Follow these three steps to do it by hand or in your head.
- 1Take your value in BTU per hourStart with the number of BTU per hour (BTU/h) you want to convert.
- 2Multiply by 0.000398The conversion factor from BTU/h to PS is 0.000398. Multiply your value by this number.
- 3Read the result in metric horsepowerThe result is your value in metric horsepower (PS).
Formula
Multiply the value in BTU per hour by 0.000398. For the reverse direction, multiply by 2,509.6259.
PS = BTU/h × 0.000398BTU/h = PS × 2,509.6259Tips
Use these in everyday conversions- 1 BTU/h = 0.293 W; 3412 BTU/h = 1 kW.
- 12,000 BTU/h = 1 ton of refrigeration.
- Tons of AC rating: divide BTU/h by 12,000.
Common Mistakes
Avoid these- Confusing BTU (energy) with BTU/h (power) — same abbreviation in ads.
- Mixing tons of AC and tons of weight — different concepts.
- Using BTU/h for non-HVAC contexts.
About BTU per Hour and Metric Horsepower
What is the BTU per Hour?
BTU per hour (BTU/h or BTUh) is the standard rating for American heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration system capacity. A window air conditioner is typically 5,000–12,000 BTU/h, central residential AC ranges 24,000–60,000 BTU/h, and commercial chillers reach 100,000–1,000,000+ BTU/h. The unit's persistence in HVAC reflects American engineering tradition: it directly links cooling/heating capacity to the BTU energy unit familiar in gas-fired equipment. 12,000 BTU/h equals 'one ton of refrigeration' (a unit derived from the heat needed to melt 1 ton of ice in 24 hours), so AC sizes are sometimes given in 'tons' (a 3-ton AC = 36,000 BTU/h). BTU/h relates to the watt (1 W ≈ 3.412 BTU/h), the kilowatt (1 kW ≈ 3,412 BTU/h), and the ton of refrigeration (12,000 BTU/h = 1 ton). Outside the US, kW is dominant for HVAC capacity.
- US air conditioners and heat pumps
- US furnace and boiler ratings
- Some industrial heat-exchanger specs
Small window AC: 5000 BTU/h. Central AC: 24,000 BTU/h. Home furnace: 80,000 BTU/h.
What is the Metric Horsepower?
The Pferdestärke (PS), also called metric horsepower or 'cheval vapeur' (CV) in French, equals exactly 735.49875 watts — about 1.4% smaller than mechanical horsepower. Defined as the power needed to lift 75 kg by 1 meter in 1 second under standard gravity, the PS is the European traditional power unit for car engines. German, French, Italian, and Japanese car manufacturers historically rated engines in PS, and the unit persists in marketing — '300 PS' sounds slightly higher than '300 hp' to consumers. EU regulations require power to be specified primarily in kW, with PS allowed as a secondary unit. The PS relates to the watt (1 PS ≈ 735.5 W), the kilowatt (1 PS ≈ 0.7355 kW), and the mechanical horsepower (1 PS ≈ 0.9863 hp). The slight difference between PS and hp is mostly imperceptible in casual use but noticeable in precise engineering specifications.
- European car and motorcycle ratings
- Italian and German engine specs
- Some European industrial equipment
VW Golf GTI: ~245 PS = 180 kW. BMW M3: ~480 PS = 353 kW.