What is the equivalent of one ton of refrigeration in British thermal units (BTUs)?

One ton of refrigeration is defined as the amount of heat required to melt one ton of ice in a 24-hour period. This is quantified as 12,000 British thermal units (BTUs) per hour. The reason this figure is important is that it provides a standardized measure for the cooling capacity of air conditioning systems.

In practical terms, when an air conditioning unit is rated at one ton, it means that it is capable of removing 12,000 BTUs of heat from a space every hour, which is essential for maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures. This conversion allows technicians and engineers to size and select equipment based on the cooling needs of a space accurately.

While other values such as 6,000 BTUs, 18,000 BTUs, and 24,000 BTUs are significant in the field of HVAC for different applications or sizes of equipment, they do not represent the standard measurement of one ton of refrigeration. Thus, 12,000 BTUs in one hour is the correct and widely accepted equivalent for one ton of refrigeration.