How many BTUs does one ton of refrigeration equal per hour?

One ton of refrigeration is defined as the amount of heat required to melt one ton of ice in a 24-hour period. This measure is standardized to 12,000 BTU per hour. The definition comes from the fact that melting one ton of ice absorbs a significant amount of heat, specifically 288,000 BTU over 24 hours, which averages to 12,000 BTU per hour. This standard is widely accepted in refrigeration and air conditioning calculations, making it essential knowledge for those working in fire alarm systems and related fields, where understanding BTU and refrigeration is relevant for ensuring that systems function correctly under varying environmental conditions.