What is BTU/h?
BTU/h (British Thermal Units per hour) is a unit of measurement used to express the rate at which heat energy is added or removed from a space. In HVAC applications, BTU/h is commonly used to rate heating and cooling equipment, helping determine their efficiency and capacity.
For heating systems, BTU/h indicates how much heat an appliance can produce per hour. A furnace rated at 80,000 BTU/h, for example, means it can generate 80,000 British Thermal Units of heat every hour.
For air conditioners and cooling systems, BTU/h represents the amount of heat removed from the air. A 12,000 BTU/h air conditioner, for instance, removes 12,000 BTUs of heat per hour, roughly equivalent to 1 ton of cooling capacity.
Understanding BTU/h is crucial when selecting HVAC equipment to ensure a system is properly sized for a space. Undersized systems will struggle to maintain comfort, while oversized systems may cycle on and off frequently, reducing efficiency and lifespan.
