What Is This Tool?
This converter allows you to change power values measured in Btu (th)/hour, a unit commonly used for thermal power in heating and cooling systems, into pound-foot/minute, an imperial unit of mechanical power used in engineering and mechanical testing.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the power value in Btu (th)/hour you wish to convert.
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Select Btu (th)/hour as the input unit.
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Choose pound-foot/minute as the target output unit.
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Click the convert button to see the result instantly.
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Use the examples as a guide to verify your conversions.
Key Features
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Converts thermal power (Btu (th)/hour) to mechanical power (pound-foot/minute).
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Supports engineering applications such as HVAC equipment sizing and mechanical power assessment.
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Provides quick calculations using a precise conversion factor.
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Browser-based and user-friendly interface suitable for technicians and engineers.
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Includes example calculations for better understanding.
Examples
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Convert 5 Btu (th)/hour to pound-foot/minute: 5 × 12.9608108679 = 64.80405434 lbf·ft/min.
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Convert 10 Btu (th)/hour to pound-foot/minute: 10 × 12.9608108679 = 129.608108679 lbf·ft/min.
Common Use Cases
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Sizing and rating HVAC equipment such as furnaces and air conditioners.
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Specifying heat output for water heaters, boilers, and heat exchangers.
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Estimating building heating and cooling loads or refrigeration capacity.
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Testing and converting mechanical power in hand tools, gearboxes, and low-power motors.
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Comparing thermal power units with mechanical horsepower for machine ratings.
Tips & Best Practices
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Always verify that the power context is suitable when converting between thermal and mechanical units.
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Consider efficiency and mechanical losses since these units represent different types of power.
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Use the converter to translate legacy engineering data into modern unit systems.
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Check example calculations to ensure accurate input values.
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Apply the conversion carefully in applications where heat transfer and mechanical work differ significantly.
Limitations
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The converter assumes comparable power contexts between thermal and mechanical power, which might not reflect real system efficiencies.
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Direct equivalence between Btu (th)/hour and pound-foot/minute may overlook mechanical losses or energy conversion differences.
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The units apply to different physical phenomena—heat transfer versus mechanical work—so additional factors may be needed for precise engineering use.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does Btu (th)/hour measure?
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Btu (th)/hour is a unit of power representing the rate at which thermochemical British thermal units of heat are transferred per hour.
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When should I use pound-foot/minute?
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Pound-foot/minute is used to express mechanical power, especially in legacy engineering for small shaft or rotary power and when relating torque and speed in imperial units.
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Can I directly compare Btu (th)/hour with pound-foot/minute?
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Direct comparison assumes similar power contexts, but since these units measure different energy types, consider efficiency and mechanical factors in real applications.
Key Terminology
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Btu (th)/hour
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A unit of power quantifying the rate of thermochemical British thermal units transferred per hour, used in thermal power contexts.
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Pound-foot/minute
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An imperial unit of mechanical power representing work done as a pound-force moves one foot in one minute.
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Mechanical horsepower
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A power unit equal to 33,000 pound-foot/minute, often used for machine power ratings.