How to Convert Watts Per Square Meter to BTUs Per Square Foot
The watt is a unit of power in the International System of Units (SI) and is defined as 1 joule of energy per second. The British thermal unit (BTU) is a traditional unit of energy, and is the energy needed to heat a pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. The BTU is also used informally as a unit of power. This use of the term "BTU" actually refers to BTUs per hour (BTU/h.)
Instructions
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Estimate the accuracy of the conversion. The watt is used in scientific applications and its definition makes it an extremely accurate unit of power. The definition of a BTU has several standards that primarily differ in the way that the temperature measurements are made. This means that the BTU is only accurate to about 0.5 percent. Any expression of power in BTU/h will therefore be accurate to no more than three decimal places.
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Convert watts to BTU/h. A watt is equal to approximately 3.412 BTU/h.
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Convert square meters to square feet. A meter is about 39.37 inches and is therefore equal to 38.37/12 = 3.28 feet. A square meter is therefore approximately equal to 3.28^2 = 10.764 square feet.
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Convert watts per square meter to BTUs per square foot. A watt is 3.412 BTU/h and a square meter is 10.764 square feet so a watt per square meter is equal to 3.412/10.764 = 0.317 BTUs per square foot.
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Convert watts per square meter to BTUs per square foot by multiplying watts per square meter by 0.317.
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