1. What is Tons of Refrigeration?

Tons 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 is equal to the cooling power of one ton of ice melting over a 24-hour period.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the conversion formula:

Where:

• \( \text{kilowatts} \) — Power input in kilowatts
• \( 3.51685 \) — Conversion factor (kW to tons)

Explanation: This formula converts electrical power input (kW) to cooling capacity output (tons) for refrigeration systems.

3. Importance of Refrigeration Ton Calculation

Details: Accurate conversion between kilowatts and tons is essential for proper sizing of refrigeration equipment, energy efficiency calculations, and system performance evaluation in HVAC applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter power in kilowatts. The value must be greater than 0. The calculator will automatically convert to tons of refrigeration using the standard conversion factor.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is 3.51685 used as the conversion factor?
A: This factor comes from the definition of one ton of refrigeration as 12,000 BTU/hour, which equals approximately 3.51685 kilowatts.

Q2: Is this conversion accurate for all refrigeration systems?
A: This provides a basic power-to-capacity conversion. Actual system performance may vary based on efficiency, operating conditions, and equipment type.

Q3: What are typical tonnage values for residential AC units?
A: Residential units typically range from 1.5 to 5 tons, with larger homes requiring higher tonnage systems.

Q4: Can I use this for heat pump calculations?
A: Yes, the same conversion applies to heat pump cooling capacity calculations.

Q5: How does SEER rating affect this conversion?
A: SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) affects the actual electrical consumption, but the tonnage conversion factor remains constant.