A tool facilitates the conversion between two units of measurement related to refrigeration and air conditioning: thousands of British thermal units per hour (MBH) and tons of refrigeration. This conversion is essential because these units represent different aspects of cooling capacity. One MBH represents the heat transfer rate, while one ton of refrigeration refers to the cooling power needed to melt one ton of ice in 24 hours.
Converting between these units is crucial for sizing and selecting appropriate HVAC equipment. Accurate conversion ensures optimal performance and energy efficiency in various applications, from residential air conditioners to large-scale industrial cooling systems. Historically, the “ton” unit originated from the ice-making industry, while the British thermal unit emerged as a standard unit of heat. The need to compare and translate between these units arose with the development of mechanical refrigeration.