Power Conversion Calculator
Convert power between watts, kilowatts, horsepower, BTU/hr, and other power units instantly.
Calcady™ · Calculation Report Power Converter calcady.com Energy Extrapolator74.57 Converted Power74.57 Kilowatts (kW) |
Quick Answer: Common Power Conversions
1 horsepower = 745.7 watts. 1 kilowatt = 1.341 HP. 1 BTU/hr = 0.293 watts. In HVAC, a "ton" of cooling = 12,000 BTU/hr = 3,517 watts. Mechanical horsepower (HP), electrical horsepower, and metric horsepower (PS) are all slightly different — this calculator handles all three.
Power Unit Reference
| Unit | = Watts | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Horsepower (HP) | 745.7 W | Engines, motors |
| 1 Kilowatt (kW) | 1,000 W | EV motors, appliances |
| 1 BTU/hr | 0.293 W | HVAC heating/cooling |
| 1 Ton (HVAC) | 3,517 W | Air conditioning capacity |
| 1 Metric HP (PS) | 735.5 W | European car specs |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between HP and PS?
HP (mechanical horsepower) = 745.7 watts. PS (Pferdestärke, metric horsepower) = 735.5 watts. The difference is about 1.4%. European car manufacturers use PS, US uses HP. A "300 PS" European car is actually 296 HP. When comparing specs between US and European cars, always check which unit is used.
Why are HVAC systems rated in BTU and tons?
A "ton" of cooling originated from the ice trade — it's the power needed to melt one ton (2,000 lbs) of ice in 24 hours, which equals 12,000 BTU/hr or 3,517 watts. Residential AC units are typically 1.5-5 tons. The BTU system persists because the US HVAC industry never fully adopted metric units. A typical home needs about 400 sq ft per ton of cooling capacity.