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What is A BTU?
A British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water at sea level by 1 degree Fahrenheit. Measuring heat is the same thing as measuring energy. For process cooling, BTUs are used to measure the amount of energy needed to remove heat.
Today, there are many different units used to measure heat for different applications. According to the US Department of Energy, 1 BTU is about equal to the amount of energy emitted by a single lit match. As an imperial unit of measurement, 1 BTU has equal metric system counterparts.
- 1 BTU = 252 calories
- 1 BTU = 3.29 watts
- 1 BTU = 1055 joules
Many of us are familiar with using calories to measure units of food energy, watts and joules for measuring electrical energy, and BTUs and horsepower to measure mechanical energy. Let’s take a closer look at energy measurements for industrial coolers.
Measuring Energy for Process Cooling
When it comes to process cooling, industrial chillers take energy measurements one level further…”tons” of cooling.
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What are Tons of Cooling Power?
Why are chiller sizes listed according to tons? Well, the answer lies in the cooling practices of yesteryear. Before the age of electronic air conditioners, here in North America especially, blocks of ice were harvested from frozen lakes and rivers and used to cool homes during the summertime. 1 ton of cooling power was the amount of heat transfer needed to melt 1 ton of ice blocks in a 24 hour period. As cooling technology advanced, we began to shift from stored ice to mechanical chilling. In today’s measurements, 1 ton of cooling power = 12,000 btus per hour. Just like we still measure engines according to “horsepower”, the historical practice of using “tons of refrigeration” stuck around.
BTUs, Cooling Power, and North Slope Chillers
North Slope Chillers is proud to offer 2 levels of chill: Freeze, and Deep Freeze. These portable industrial chillers offer an expansive range of cooling power from ¼ ton models all the way up to 10 ton models.
In addition, we are proud to provide the fastest customization process on the market. Our engineers can create tailor made chilling solutions that match your temperature requirements, energy needs, fluid choices and more. Contact us to find the right temperature control solution for your needs at (866) 826-2993 or sales@northslopechillers.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What does BTU stand for in cooling?+
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. It is the amount of energy needed to raise or lower the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. In cooling, BTU ratings tell you how much heat a chiller can remove per hour.
How many BTUs do I need to cool my process?+
To estimate your BTU requirement, multiply the weight of the fluid (in pounds) by the temperature change needed (in °F) and divide by the time available (in hours). One ton of cooling capacity equals 12,000 BTU/hr.
What is the difference between BTU and tons of refrigeration?+
One ton of refrigeration equals 12,000 BTU per hour. So a 2-ton chiller provides 24,000 BTU/hr of cooling capacity. The ton measurement comes from the cooling effect of melting one ton of ice over 24 hours.
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