1. What is Tons of Refrigeration?

A ton of refrigeration is a unit of power used in North America to describe the heat-extraction capacity of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. One ton of refrigeration equals 12,000 BTU per hour or approximately 3.517 kilowatts.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the conversion formula:

Where:

• \( \text{kilowatts} \) — Power input in kilowatts
• \( 3.517 \) — Conversion factor (kW per ton of refrigeration)

Explanation: This formula converts electrical power input (kW) to cooling capacity measured in tons of refrigeration.

3. Importance of Refrigeration Ton Calculation

Details: Accurate conversion between kilowatts and tons is essential for HVAC system design, equipment selection, energy efficiency analysis, and proper sizing of refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter power in kilowatts. The default value is set to 11.2 kW. All values must be valid (greater than 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is 11.2 kW used as the default value?
A: 11.2 kW is equivalent to approximately 3.18 tons of refrigeration, which is a common capacity for medium-sized commercial refrigeration systems.

Q2: What is the origin of the "ton" unit in refrigeration?
A: The term comes from the time when ice was used for cooling. One ton refers to the cooling effect of melting one ton (2000 pounds) of ice in 24 hours.

Q3: How accurate is this conversion?
A: The conversion factor 3.517 kW/ton is a standard industry value, though actual system efficiency may vary based on equipment type and operating conditions.

Q4: Can this calculator be used for heat pumps?
A: Yes, the same conversion applies to heat pump cooling capacity measurements.

Q5: What are typical tonnage values for different applications?
A: Residential AC units: 1-5 tons, commercial systems: 5-50 tons, large industrial systems: 50+ tons.