How it works
Convert power ratings for engines, motors, heaters and air conditioners. Power is energy per unit time, and the SI unit is the watt (one joule per second).
Mechanical horsepower is 550 foot-pounds per second, about 745.7 W. Metric horsepower (PS, CV) is slightly smaller at 735.5 W. Heating and cooling equipment is rated in BTU per hour, and one ton of refrigeration is 12,000 BTU/h, about 3.517 kW.
Formula
Result = value × (W per from-unit) ÷ (W per to-unit). 1 hp = 745.69987 W.
Questions people ask
How many kW is one horsepower?
One mechanical horsepower is about 0.7457 kW; one kW is about 1.341 hp.
What does a 2-ton air conditioner mean?
It removes heat at 24,000 BTU per hour, about 7.03 kW of cooling. Electrical power use is much lower, depending on the unit's efficiency.
What is the difference between hp and PS?
PS (Pferdestärke) is metric horsepower, 735.49875 W. Mechanical (imperial) horsepower is about 1.4% larger at 745.7 W.