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How to Calculate Kilowatts From Tons

Tons is a archaic term that was historically used to measure heat loads in North American data centers. A ton is equivalent to 12,000 BTU -- the amount of heat energy needed to melt a 2,000 pound block of ice in one hour. To calculate tons from kilowatts, convert tons to watts and then convert watts into kilowatts. This way you will have two ways to express the amount of heat energy.

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the number of tons you will be converting to watts. This will be the number you multiply by to obtain your result.
- 2
  Multiply the number of tons by 3,517.2. So if you are converting 5 tons to watts, multiply 5 by 3,517.2 for a result of 17586 watts.
- 3
  Convert watts into a smaller, more manageable kilowatt number by moving the decimal place over three places. Your answer would be 3.5172 kilowatts. Both watts and kilowatts are acceptable terms to express heat energy.

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