1. What is Cooling Tonnage?

Cooling tonnage is a measure of an air conditioning system's cooling capacity. One ton of cooling equals 12,000 BTU/h (British Thermal Units per hour), which is the amount of heat needed to melt one ton of ice in 24 hours.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• \( Tons \) — Cooling capacity in tons
• \( BTU/h \) — British Thermal Units per hour

Explanation: This conversion allows you to determine the equivalent cooling capacity in tons from a given BTU/h rating.

3. Importance of Tonnage Calculation

Details: Properly sizing an air conditioning system is crucial for energy efficiency and comfort. Undersized units will struggle to cool, while oversized units will short-cycle, reducing efficiency and lifespan.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the BTU/h rating of your air conditioning equipment. The calculator will convert it to tons of cooling capacity. This is useful when comparing systems or determining appropriate sizing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between BTU/h and tons?
A: They both measure cooling capacity, but tons are a larger unit (1 ton = 12,000 BTU/h). Tons are commonly used for larger residential and commercial systems.

Q2: How many tons do I need for my home?
A: A rough estimate is 1 ton per 400-600 sq ft, but proper sizing requires a Manual J calculation considering insulation, windows, climate, etc.

Q3: Why is 12,000 BTU/h equal to 1 ton?
A: This comes from the amount of heat needed to melt one ton (2000 lbs) of ice in 24 hours (288,000 BTU/24h = 12,000 BTU/h).

Q4: Can I use this for heat pumps?
A: Yes, the cooling capacity of heat pumps is also rated in BTU/h and can be converted to tons the same way.

Q5: What's a good efficiency rating?
A: Look for SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings of 14+ for new systems, with higher numbers indicating better efficiency.