UnitConBTU to Kilowatt-Hours Converter
Convert BTU to kilowatt-hours for HVAC system sizing, energy efficiency comparison, and heat pump ratings. BTU is the US standard for heating and cooling while kWh is used for electrical energy, requiring frequent cross-comparison.
Formula
Divide BTU by 3412.14 to get kilowatt-hours. To reverse, multiply kilowatt-hours by 3412.14 to get BTU.
Quick reference
| British Thermal Unit (BTU) | Kilowatt-hour (kWh) |
|---|---|
| 5000 | 1.465355 |
| 8000 | 2.344569 |
| 10000 | 2.930711 |
| 12000 | 3.516853 |
| 15000 | 4.396066 |
| 18000 | 5.275279 |
| 24000 | 7.033706 |
| 30000 | 8.792132 |
| 48000 | 14.06741 |
| 60000 | 17.58426 |
About these units
British Thermal Unit
The British Thermal Unit (BTU) was defined as the heat needed to raise one pound of water by 1°F. It originated in 19th-century British engineering but became most entrenched in US HVAC industry specifications, where furnaces, air conditioners, and water heaters are still rated in BTU/hr.
Kilowatt-hour
The kilowatt-hour became the standard electrical energy unit with the proliferation of power grids in the late 19th century. As electric heating and heat pumps replace gas furnaces, BTU-to-kWh conversion has become increasingly important for energy cost comparison.
Frequently asked questions
One kilowatt-hour equals approximately 3412.14 BTU.
12,000 BTU/hr ÷ 3412.14 ≈ 3.52 kW of cooling capacity.
1 kWh = 3412.14 BTU.