How to Convert Gigajoules to BTU

How can you compare two different readings of energy when they are given in different units? The best way is to convert one value so that both readings are in the same units; in this way you will be able to compare apples to apples. Btu, short for British Thermal Units, is the most common energy unit used in the USA, although kilocalories and kilowatt-hours are also used. The metric unit for energy is joules.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Calculator

Converting Gigajoules to BTU

1. Establish your starting value in gigajoules. For an example, let's use 0.20 gigajoules.

2. Convert your starting value to joules. To do this, multiply the starting value by the conversion factor ( 1,000,000,000 joules / 1 gigajoule). Notice the gigajoule units cancel each other out. Continuing the example, we would now have: 0.20 gigaJ x ( 1,000,000,000 J / 1 gigaJ) = 200,000,000 joules.

3. Convert from joules to Btu. To do this, multiply the value attained in step 2 by the conversion factor ( 1 Btu / 1,055.05585262 joules ). Notice again that the units cancel out. This is the final value. To conclude the example, rounded to 5 decimal places, we would have: 200,000,000 Joules x (1 Btu / 1,055.05585262 J ) = 189,563.42406 Btu.

Tips & Warnings

• "Giga" is the prefix meaning 1 billion.

References

• Converting Energy Units 101

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Earn your degree from industry experts at University of Phoenix. Take the next step in your career.