1. What is Tonnage Calculation?

Tonnage calculation is a method used to determine the cooling capacity required for air conditioning systems. It converts British Thermal Units (BTU) to tons, where one ton of cooling equals 12,000 BTU per hour.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the tonnage formula:

Where:

• \( BTU \) — British Thermal Units (cooling capacity)
• \( 12000 \) — Conversion factor (1 ton = 12,000 BTU/hour)

Explanation: This simple division converts BTU measurements to standard tons of cooling capacity used in HVAC systems.

3. Importance of Tonnage Calculation

Details: Proper tonnage calculation is essential for sizing air conditioning systems correctly. Undersized systems struggle to cool spaces efficiently, while oversized systems cycle too frequently, reducing efficiency and lifespan.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total BTU value from your cooling system specifications. The value must be greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is 12,000 BTU equal to one ton?
A: This measurement originated from the cooling effect of one ton of ice melting over 24 hours, which absorbs approximately 12,000 BTU of heat.

Q2: How many square feet does one ton cool?
A: Generally, one ton cools 400-600 square feet, but this varies based on climate, insulation, ceiling height, and other factors.

Q3: Can I use this for heat pump calculations?
A: Yes, the same tonnage calculation applies to heat pumps as they use the same BTU measurement for heating and cooling capacity.

Q4: What's the difference between BTU and tonnage?
A: BTU measures raw cooling capacity, while tonnage expresses this capacity in standardized units familiar to HVAC professionals.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation for system sizing?
A: While this provides a basic conversion, professional HVAC sizing should consider many additional factors including climate, insulation, windows, and occupancy.