kWh to BTU Conversion Chart
Quick-reference chart converting kilowatt-hours (kWh) to BTU. Covers 0.1–10,000 kWh — for HVAC system sizing, home energy, electricity billing, and appliance ratings.
For a custom value not in this chart, use the Energy converter.
| Kilowatt-hour (kWh) | BTU (BTU) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 kWh | 341.214 BTU |
| ¼ kWh | 853.035 BTU |
| ½ kWh | 1706.07 BTU |
| 1 kWh | 3412.14 BTU |
| 2 kWh | 6824.28 BTU |
| 5 kWh | 17060.7 BTU |
| 10 kWh | 34121.4 BTU |
| 20 kWh | 68242.8 BTU |
| 25 kWh | 85303.5 BTU |
| 50 kWh | 170607 BTU |
| 100 kWh | 341214 BTU |
| 200 kWh | 682428 BTU |
| 250 kWh | 853035 BTU |
| 500 kWh | 1706070 BTU |
| 1000 kWh | 3412140 BTU |
| 2000 kWh | 6824280 BTU |
| 5000 kWh | 17060700 BTU |
| 10000 kWh | 34121400 BTU |
Conversion Formula
BTU = kWh × 3,412.14
kWh = BTU ÷ 3,412.14
1 kWh = 3,600,000 J = 3,412.14 BTU
1 BTU = 1,055.056 J = 0.000293071 kWh
HVAC reference (kWh → BTU/hour capacity):
1 kWh = 3,412 BTU (energy consumed, not rate)
1.5 kWh = 5,118 BTU
3.5 kWh = 11,946 BTU (typical window AC ~12,000 BTU/hr)
8.8 kWh = 30,027 BTU (central AC 2.5-ton)
Home energy reference:
30 kWh/day = 102,364 BTU/day (avg US home)
900 kWh/month = 3.07 million BTU/month
10,000 kWh/yr = 34.1 million BTU/yr
Note: AC units rated in BTU/hr (a power rate, not energy amount)Frequently Asked Questions
How many BTU is 1 kWh?
1 kWh = 3,412.14 BTU. The kWh is an energy quantity (power × time), while BTU is also energy. 1 BTU = 1,055 joules; 1 kWh = 3,600,000 joules; therefore 1 kWh = 3,600,000 ÷ 1,055 = 3,412.14 BTU.
How many BTU is a 5 kWh battery pack?
5 × 3,412.14 = 17,060 BTU. A home backup battery (like a 5 kWh Powerwall unit) stores 17,060 BTU of electrical energy. For comparison, a gallon of gasoline contains about 114,000 BTU.
How do I size an air conditioner using kWh vs. BTU?
Air conditioner capacity is rated in BTU per hour (BTU/hr or BTU/h). A 12,000 BTU/hr AC = 12,000 ÷ 3,412 = 3.52 kW of cooling capacity. But its electrical consumption is less than its cooling capacity: a 12,000 BTU/hr AC might only draw 1.2–1.5 kW of electricity (EER of 8–10).
How many kWh is in a therm of natural gas?
1 therm of natural gas = 100,000 BTU = 100,000 ÷ 3,412.14 = 29.30 kWh. Therms appear on US natural gas bills; electric bills use kWh. This conversion helps compare home heating costs between gas and electric systems.
How much does 1 kWh cost in BTU terms?
If electricity costs $0.13 per kWh, and 1 kWh = 3,412 BTU, then the cost per million BTU from electricity is ($0.13 ÷ 3,412) × 1,000,000 = $38.10/MMBtu. Natural gas costs roughly $10–15/MMBtu. This price ratio (~3×) explains why gas heat is usually cheaper than electric resistance heat.
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