MBH stands for 'thousands of BTU per hour' (M = Roman numeral for 1000). It is the standard unit used by HVAC engineers for boiler and chiller sizing. Converting kVA to MBH bridges electrical and HVAC domains.
MBH = kVA × PF × 3.41214. One kW = 3.41214 MBH.
MBH is the preferred unit for boilers, chillers, and heating equipment ratings.
Boiler sizing, chiller capacity, heat exchanger design, HVAC load calculations.
1 MBH = 1,000 BTU/hr. MBH = BTU/hr ÷ 1000.
Convert electrical power to HVAC thermal units.
First get kW (kVA × PF), then multiply by 3.41214 to convert kW to MBH.
3 steps for HVAC thermal calculation.
Find electrical load and power factor.
kW = kVA × PF gives real power.
Convert kW to MBH using the fixed factor.
MBH output at various power factors.
| kVA | PF 0.80 | PF 0.85 | PF 0.90 | PF 0.95 | PF 1.00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 13.65 | 14.50 | 15.35 | 16.21 | 17.06 |
| 10 | 27.30 | 29.00 | 30.71 | 32.42 | 34.12 |
| 25 | 68.24 | 72.51 | 76.77 | 81.04 | 85.30 |
| 50 | 136.49 | 145.02 | 153.55 | 162.08 | 170.61 |
| 100 | 272.97 | 290.03 | 307.09 | 324.15 | 341.21 |
| 500 | 1,364.9 | 1,450.2 | 1,535.5 | 1,620.8 | 1,706.1 |
HVAC sizing scenarios.
200 kVA at PF 0.90:
200 × 0.90 × 3.41214 = 614.2 MBH
500 kVA at PF 0.85:
500 × 0.85 × 3.41214 = 1,450 MBH
10 kVA at PF 0.95:
10 × 0.95 × 3.41214 = 32.4 MBH
25 free conversion tools — each with its own unique calculator, interactive visuals, and detailed explanations.
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Questions about kVA to MBH conversion.
MBH = thousands of BTU per hour. M is the Roman numeral for 1000, B=British, H=per Hour.
1 kW = 3.41214 MBH (or 3,412.14 BTU/hr).
MBH simplifies large numbers. 100,000 BTU/hr = 100 MBH — easier to work with in HVAC design.
Convert kVA to MBH, then select a boiler with equal or greater MBH output rating.
Yes. MBH and kBTU/hr are identical: both mean thousands of BTU per hour.
1 ton = 12 MBH = 12,000 BTU/hr. A 5-ton chiller is rated at 60 MBH.