How many BTUs are equivalent to 1 horsepower?

In the context of refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, understanding the conversion between horsepower and BTUs (British Thermal Units) is essential, especially when evaluating the efficiency and performance of cooling systems.

One horsepower is defined as the ability to do 550 foot-pounds of work per second. When converting this power measurement to thermal energy, it is important to note that 1 horsepower is equivalent to approximately 2547 BTUs per hour. This relationship is derived from the fact that 1 BTU represents the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.

Hence, when calculating how many BTUs can be produced by one horsepower over the course of an hour, the conversion yields approximately 2547 BTUs, making this answer correct. This understanding is particularly useful in air conditioning and refrigeration fields where system capacities are often expressed in either horsepower or BTUs, and using the correct conversion helps in assessing the performance and suitability of various systems for specific applications.