What Is This Tool?
This converter allows you to transform power measurements from electric horsepower, a common unit rating electric motors, into Btu (IT)/hour, a unit expressing heat transfer rates. It supports applications in heating, cooling, and energy evaluation.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the value in electric horsepower you want to convert
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Select horsepower (electric) as the input unit and Btu (IT)/hour as the output unit
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Click convert to get the equivalent heat transfer rate in Btu (IT)/hour
Key Features
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Converts electric horsepower (exactly 746 watts) to Btu (IT)/hour heat transfer rates
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Browser-based and easy to use with quick input and output
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Supports applications in HVAC, industrial heating systems, and energy analysis
Examples
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2 horsepower (electric) equals 5090.915316627 Btu (IT)/hour
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0.5 horsepower (electric) equals 1272.728829157 Btu (IT)/hour
Common Use Cases
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Motor specification and performance rating for pumps, fans, and compressors
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Sizing motor controllers and electrical supplies for industrial equipment
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Translating electrical motor power into useful thermal energy units in HVAC and heating system design
Tips & Best Practices
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Verify unit selections before converting to ensure correct input and output
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Use this conversion for comparative energy or heat transfer evaluations, not for direct mechanical to thermal power equivalence
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Consider system efficiency and instantaneous operating conditions for practical applications
Limitations
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Horsepower (electric) and Btu (IT)/hour measure different physical quantities—mechanical power vs. heat transfer rate
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Conversion is primarily useful for indirect comparative energy studies rather than exact power matching
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System efficiencies, power factors, and operating conditions must be accounted for when applying results
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does electric horsepower represent?
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Electric horsepower is a unit of power rating for electric motors, defined exactly as 746 watts, reflecting the mechanical work produced by an electric machine.
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What is Btu (IT)/hour used for?
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Btu (IT)/hour measures heat transfer rate and is commonly used to rate HVAC equipment capacity and heating system outputs.
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Can this conversion be used for precise mechanical to thermal power calculations?
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No, since horsepower (electric) and Btu (IT)/hour represent different phenomena, the conversion is mainly for comparative energy usage purposes.
Key Terminology
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Horsepower (electric)
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A power unit for rating electric motors, defined as exactly 746 watts, indicating mechanical work from electric machines.
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Btu (IT)/hour
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A unit of power indicating heat transfer rate equal to one International Table British thermal unit per hour.
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Power
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The rate at which energy is transferred or converted.