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Cooling Tonnage Formula:
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Cooling tonnage is a unit of measurement for the cooling capacity of air conditioning systems. One ton of refrigeration equals 12,000 BTU/h (British Thermal Units per hour), which represents the amount of heat required to melt one ton of ice in 24 hours.
The calculator uses the cooling tonnage formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula converts BTU per hour measurements to standard tons of refrigeration, which is commonly used in HVAC industry specifications.
Details: Accurate cooling tonnage calculation is essential for proper sizing of air conditioning systems, ensuring energy efficiency, maintaining optimal performance, and preventing system overload or underperformance.
Tips: Enter the BTU/h value (must be greater than 0). The calculator will automatically convert it to tons of refrigeration. This is particularly useful for HVAC professionals and homeowners sizing air conditioning systems.
Q1: Why is 12,000 BTU/h equal to one ton?
A: This measurement originated from the amount of heat required to melt one ton (2000 pounds) of ice in 24 hours, which equals 12,000 BTU per hour.
Q2: What is a typical tonnage for residential AC units?
A: Residential air conditioners typically range from 1.5 to 5 tons, depending on the size of the space being cooled and climate conditions.
Q3: How do I determine the BTU requirement for my space?
A: BTU requirements depend on square footage, ceiling height, insulation quality, number of windows, climate, and other factors. Professional load calculations are recommended.
Q4: Can I use this for heat pump calculations?
A: Yes, the same tonnage calculation applies to heat pumps as they use the same measurement units for cooling capacity.
Q5: What happens if I undersize or oversize my AC system?
A: Undersizing leads to inadequate cooling and excessive runtime, while oversizing causes short cycling, reduced efficiency, and poor humidity control.