The British thermal unit per second (BTU/s) is a measure of power, specifically the rate at which energy is expended or transferred. Originating from the British thermal unit, which is defined as the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit, the BTU/s provides a glimpse into the historical roots of energy measurement before the metric system’s widespread adoption. In modern applications, BTU/s is often used in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry to quantify the power of heating and cooling systems, offering a unique blend of historical measurement with contemporary utility.
Despite its historical origins, the BTU/s is incredibly relevant today. To put it into perspective, one BTU/s is approximately equivalent to 1,055 watts, a power level comparable to that of a small household appliance. This conversion shows how BTU/s bridges older and newer methods of measuring power, reminding us of the diverse systems our modern technology stands upon. Whether you’re cooling a building or generating heat for industrial processes, understanding BTU/s offers a window into how energy flow impacts various aspects of daily life and industry.
Horsepower is a unit of power that originated in the 18th century, coined by engineer James Watt to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses. A fascinating aspect is the value assigned to this measurement: 1 British horsepower equals approximately 745.7 watts. To put this into perspective, this means that just one horsepower can light up more than ten 60-watt light bulbs!
Interestingly, the unit became widely adopted not for its precision but as a marketing tool. Since people were familiar with the strength of horses in everyday tasks, comparing engine power to horses made industrial power even more relatable and understandable during the Industrial Revolution. Today, horsepower continues to be an essential metric in the automotive and engine industries worldwide, despite its equine origins.
British thermal units per second | Horsepower (British) |
---|---|
0
Btu/s
|
0
hp
|
10
Btu/s
|
14.14853
hp
|
20
Btu/s
|
28.29707
hp
|
30
Btu/s
|
42.4456
hp
|
40
Btu/s
|
56.59414
hp
|
50
Btu/s
|
70.74267
hp
|
60
Btu/s
|
84.8912
hp
|
70
Btu/s
|
99.03974
hp
|
80
Btu/s
|
113.18827
hp
|
90
Btu/s
|
127.33681
hp
|
100
Btu/s
|
141.48534
hp
|
110
Btu/s
|
155.63387
hp
|
120
Btu/s
|
169.78241
hp
|
130
Btu/s
|
183.93094
hp
|
140
Btu/s
|
198.07948
hp
|
150
Btu/s
|
212.22801
hp
|
160
Btu/s
|
226.37654
hp
|
170
Btu/s
|
240.52508
hp
|
180
Btu/s
|
254.67361
hp
|
190
Btu/s
|
268.82215
hp
|
200
Btu/s
|
282.97068
hp
|
210
Btu/s
|
297.11921
hp
|
220
Btu/s
|
311.26775
hp
|
230
Btu/s
|
325.41628
hp
|
240
Btu/s
|
339.56482
hp
|
250
Btu/s
|
353.71335
hp
|
260
Btu/s
|
367.86188
hp
|
270
Btu/s
|
382.01042
hp
|
280
Btu/s
|
396.15895
hp
|
290
Btu/s
|
410.30749
hp
|
300
Btu/s
|
424.45602
hp
|
310
Btu/s
|
438.60455
hp
|
320
Btu/s
|
452.75309
hp
|
330
Btu/s
|
466.90162
hp
|
340
Btu/s
|
481.05016
hp
|
350
Btu/s
|
495.19869
hp
|
360
Btu/s
|
509.34722
hp
|
370
Btu/s
|
523.49576
hp
|
380
Btu/s
|
537.64429
hp
|
390
Btu/s
|
551.79283
hp
|
400
Btu/s
|
565.94136
hp
|
410
Btu/s
|
580.08989
hp
|
420
Btu/s
|
594.23843
hp
|
430
Btu/s
|
608.38696
hp
|
440
Btu/s
|
622.5355
hp
|
450
Btu/s
|
636.68403
hp
|
460
Btu/s
|
650.83256
hp
|
470
Btu/s
|
664.9811
hp
|
480
Btu/s
|
679.12963
hp
|
490
Btu/s
|
693.27817
hp
|
500
Btu/s
|
707.4267
hp
|
510
Btu/s
|
721.57523
hp
|
520
Btu/s
|
735.72377
hp
|
530
Btu/s
|
749.8723
hp
|
540
Btu/s
|
764.02084
hp
|
550
Btu/s
|
778.16937
hp
|
560
Btu/s
|
792.3179
hp
|
570
Btu/s
|
806.46644
hp
|
580
Btu/s
|
820.61497
hp
|
590
Btu/s
|
834.76351
hp
|
600
Btu/s
|
848.91204
hp
|
610
Btu/s
|
863.06057
hp
|
620
Btu/s
|
877.20911
hp
|
630
Btu/s
|
891.35764
hp
|
640
Btu/s
|
905.50618
hp
|
650
Btu/s
|
919.65471
hp
|
660
Btu/s
|
933.80324
hp
|
670
Btu/s
|
947.95178
hp
|
680
Btu/s
|
962.10031
hp
|
690
Btu/s
|
976.24885
hp
|
700
Btu/s
|
990.39738
hp
|
710
Btu/s
|
1004.54591
hp
|
720
Btu/s
|
1018.69445
hp
|
730
Btu/s
|
1032.84298
hp
|
740
Btu/s
|
1046.99152
hp
|
750
Btu/s
|
1061.14005
hp
|
760
Btu/s
|
1075.28858
hp
|
770
Btu/s
|
1089.43712
hp
|
780
Btu/s
|
1103.58565
hp
|
790
Btu/s
|
1117.73419
hp
|
800
Btu/s
|
1131.88272
hp
|
810
Btu/s
|
1146.03125
hp
|
820
Btu/s
|
1160.17979
hp
|
830
Btu/s
|
1174.32832
hp
|
840
Btu/s
|
1188.47686
hp
|
850
Btu/s
|
1202.62539
hp
|
860
Btu/s
|
1216.77392
hp
|
870
Btu/s
|
1230.92246
hp
|
880
Btu/s
|
1245.07099
hp
|
890
Btu/s
|
1259.21953
hp
|
900
Btu/s
|
1273.36806
hp
|
910
Btu/s
|
1287.51659
hp
|
920
Btu/s
|
1301.66513
hp
|
930
Btu/s
|
1315.81366
hp
|
940
Btu/s
|
1329.9622
hp
|
950
Btu/s
|
1344.11073
hp
|
960
Btu/s
|
1358.25926
hp
|
970
Btu/s
|
1372.4078
hp
|
980
Btu/s
|
1386.55633
hp
|
990
Btu/s
|
1400.70487
hp
|
1000
Btu/s
|
1414.8534
hp
|
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