How many BTUs are in a kilowatt hour?

A kilowatt hour (kWh) is a measure of energy equivalent to the energy transferred if a power of one kilowatt is supplied for one hour. To understand the conversion, we note that 1 watt is equivalent to approximately 3.412 BTUs per hour. Therefore, when you calculate the energy in BTUs for 1 kilowatt (which is 1,000 watts), you multiply 1,000 watts by the conversion factor of 3.412 BTUs per watt.

This calculation shows that:

1 kWh = 1,000 watts × 3.412 BTUs/watt = 3,412 BTUs

Rounding to the nearest whole number, this value is approximately 3,413 BTUs. This conversion is essential in systems that require heat calculations or energy consumption understanding, particularly in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning contexts.

The other options do not reflect the correct conversion factor from kilowatt hours to BTUs, highlighting common misunderstandings that can arise when dealing with different units of energy.