British thermal units per hour (Btu/h) to Horsepower (metric) (PS) conversion

Understanding British thermal units per hour to Horsepower (metric) Conversion

The British thermal unit per hour is a unit of power (energy flow rate) widely used in heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) to rate the capacity of furnaces, boilers, and cooling systems. The horsepower (metric) is the metric horsepower (PS, from the German Pferdestärke), a unit of power equal to about 735.5 watts commonly used in the automotive industry across Europe and Asia. Converting British thermal units per hour to horsepower (metric) is useful whenever you need to express the same power quantity in a different measurement system, such as sizing HVAC equipment, comparing engine or motor ratings, or matching a machine spec given in one country's convention to another. Remember that British (mechanical) horsepower (~745.7 W) and metric horsepower (PS, ~735.5 W) are not identical — they differ by roughly 1.4% — so use the factor that matches the exact horsepower unit you have.

Conversion Formula

To convert a value from British thermal units per hour to horsepower (metric), multiply by the fixed conversion factor:

$$1\ \text{Btu/h} = 0.0003984657624095\ \text{PS}$$

In other words, multiply the number of British thermal units per hour by $0.0003984657624095$ to obtain the equivalent number of horsepower (metric).

Step-by-Step Example

Convert $12$ British thermal units per hour to horsepower (metric).

1. Write the formula: $\text{value in PS} = \text{value in Btu/h} \times 0.0003984657624095$
2. Substitute the value: $12 \times 0.0003984657624095$
3. Calculate: $12 \times 0.0003984657624095 = 0.00478159$

So $12\ \text{Btu/h} = 0.00478159\ \text{PS}$.

How to Convert British thermal units per hour to Horsepower (metric)

Converting British thermal units per hour to horsepower (metric) takes just one multiplication once you know the factor. Here is how to convert $12\ \text{Btu/h}$ as an example.

1. Write the conversion factor. One British thermal unit per hour equals a fixed number of horsepower (metric):

$$1\ \text{Btu/h} = 0.0003984657624095\ \text{PS}$$

2. Set up the multiplication. Multiply your value in British thermal units per hour by the factor:

$$12\ \text{Btu/h} \times \frac{0.0003984657624095\ \text{PS}}{1\ \text{Btu/h}}$$

3. Cancel the units. The Btu/h units cancel, leaving the answer in PS.
4. State the result. Complete the arithmetic: $12 \times 0.0003984657624095 = 0.00478159$, so $12\ \text{Btu/h} = 0.00478159\ \text{PS}$.

What is the formula to convert British thermal units per hour to Horsepower (metric)?

Multiply the number of British thermal units per hour by the conversion factor. As an equation, $\text{PS} = \text{Btu/h} \times 0.0003984657624095$, since one British thermal unit per hour equals $0.0003984657624095$ horsepower (metric).

How many Horsepower (metric) are in 1 British thermal unit per hour?

There are $0.0003984657624095$ horsepower (metric) in one British thermal unit per hour. This fixed factor is used for every British thermal units per hour-to-horsepower (metric) calculation.

How do I convert Horsepower (metric) back to British thermal units per hour?

Reverse the conversion by dividing by $0.0003984657624095$, or equivalently multiply by the inverse factor: $1\ \text{PS} = 2509.6259060076\ \text{Btu/h}$. For example, $0.00478159\ \text{PS}$ converts back to $12\ \text{Btu/h}$.

Where is a British thermal units per hour-to-horsepower (metric) conversion actually used?

This conversion comes up when a power rating is given in British thermal units per hour but you need it in horsepower (metric) — for instance, matching an engine or motor spec to HVAC or heating-capacity figures, or comparing equipment rated under different national conventions.

Is the British thermal units per hour-to-Horsepower (metric) factor exact or rounded?

The factor $0.0003984657624095$ is shown to the precision our converter uses, which is more than accurate enough for everyday work. Only extremely large quantities or high-precision scientific use would notice any rounding in the final digits.