How to Convert BTU per hour to Kilowatts (BTU/h to kW)
Power conversions help compare car engines in hp and kW, and air-con units rated in BTU/h against their electrical draw in watts. This guide shows how to convert btu per hour into kilowatts by hand, with examples and a quick-reference table.
The conversion
To convert btu per hour to kilowatts, multiply the value by 0.0002930711. To go the other way, divide by the same number (or multiply by 3,412.1416351331). Because the factor is tiny, scientific notation keeps the numbers manageable.
Kilowatts = btu per hour × 0.0002930711
Worked examples
- 3 BTU/h = 0.000879 kW
- 12.5 BTU/h = 0.003663 kW
- 75 BTU/h = 0.02198 kW
BTU per hour to Kilowatts table
| BTU per hour | Kilowatts |
|---|---|
| 1 BTU/h | 0.000293 kW |
| 2 BTU/h | 0.000586 kW |
| 5 BTU/h | 0.001465 kW |
| 10 BTU/h | 0.002931 kW |
| 20 BTU/h | 0.005861 kW |
| 25 BTU/h | 0.007327 kW |
| 50 BTU/h | 0.014654 kW |
| 100 BTU/h | 0.029307 kW |
| 250 BTU/h | 0.073268 kW |
| 500 BTU/h | 0.146536 kW |
| 1,000 BTU/h | 0.293071 kW |
Common questions
Is BTU/h to kW exact?
The factors used here are the internationally defined values where they exist; results are rounded for display only.
How do I convert back?
Use the Kilowatts to BTU per hour converter.
Mistakes to avoid
Forgetting squared and cubed units
Area and volume factors are the length factor squared or cubed, so 1 m² is about 10.76 sq ft, not 3.28.
Rounding the factor too early
Using 3 instead of 3.28 for feet per metre introduces an error of almost 9% before you have started.
Mixing similar-sounding units
US and imperial gallons, pints and tons are different sizes, and decimal kilobytes differ from binary kibibytes.
Background
Singapore adopted the metric system in the 1970s, replacing imperial units and traditional Chinese measures in most official uses. Metric units are now standard in schools, trade and government, but older units survive in property, markets and imported goods.
Many conversion factors are exact by definition. The inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 centimetres since 1959, and the pound as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms, so conversions involving them can be as precise as you need.
Writing the units next to every number while you work is the simplest way to avoid mistakes. If the units do not cancel to leave the one you want, the calculation is set up wrongly.
For any value, use the BTU per hour to Kilowatts Converter or browse all power converters.
Run your own numbers: BTU per hour to Kilowatts Converter