Kilowatts to BTU/hour Converter
Enter a value to instantly convert between power units.
1 Kilowatt = 3412.1416 BTU/hour
Key Formulas
Kilowatt → Horsepower (mech)
hp = kW × 1.34102Horsepower (mech) → Kilowatt
kW = hp × 0.7457Watt → Kilowatt
kW = W × 0.001Kilowatt → Watt
W = kW × 1000Formula
BTU/h = kW × 3412.14HVAC contractors in North America work exclusively in BTU/hour, but modern heat pumps, chillers, and VRF systems often quote electrical input in kilowatts. When sizing a mini-split for a room, you look up the required BTU/h from a heat load calculation, then select an equipment model rated in BTU/h. But when comparing energy efficiency — a heat pump's COP or EER — you need kilowatts. Converting between the two makes cross-specification work much easier.
Source: NIST SP 811, Table B.8
Last reviewed: · see our methodology
Frequently Asked Questions
Real-World Examples
A 3.52 kW mini-split air conditioner = 12,000 BTU/h (1 ton of cooling) — standard for a 500–600 sq ft room in a temperate climate.
3.52 kW = 12000 BTU/h
A 10 kW electric boiler = 34,121 BTU/h — comparable to a 35,000 BTU/h natural gas furnace for home heating.
10 kW = 34121 BTU/h
A 1.5 kW portable oil-filled radiator = 5,118 BTU/h, suitable for supplemental heating in a small bedroom.
1.5 kW = 5118 BTU/h
A 14.1 kW heat pump = 48,000 BTU/h (4 tons) of cooling capacity — typical for a 2,000 sq ft house.
14.1 kW = 48111 BTU/h