What is a BTU?

A BTU, or British Thermal Unit, is a measurement of heat energy. Specifically, it is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit at a constant pressure. BTUs are commonly used in various heating and cooling systems to quantify thermal energy output or input, making it an important metric in fields such as HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), energy consumption analysis, and engineering applications.

Understanding BTUs is crucial for tasks such as calculating energy efficiency, sizing heating and cooling equipment, and assessing energy usage in residential and commercial settings. The use of BTUs allows for standardization in the energy industry, facilitating comparisons between different systems or energy sources.