A/C BTU's
 

So me and my buddies were discussing the ins and outs of '60's and early '70's A/C systems this afternoon when we came up with a question that none of us could answer and Google was of no use so I thought I would bring it before the A/C experts.

How many BTU's per hour does the average factory installed GM pickup A/C put out?

Thoughts? How does this rating compare to newer standard cab vehicles?

Re: A/C BTU's
 

British Thermal Unit is a measurement of how much energy is required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree. A lot of factors go into this calculation.
Roughly a 150 sf area takes 5000 btu's , 200 sf takes 6000 etc

Re: A/C BTU's
 

From what I found on google


Most auto AC's are right around 5 tons. :chevy:

Re: A/C BTU's
 

Tonnage refers to how many btu of air removed in an hour. Benchmark is about 20 btu per sf, Since vehicle is all windows may take more.
truck cab roughly 100 sf

Re: A/C BTU's
 

I think I remember a "ton " of A/C is about 12,000 btu's.
Back in the day it equaled the cooling of 2000 lbs. of ice.
My truck only has 2/70 cooling with additional twin vent wing auxiliary coolers for the
over 90F. days!
All the Best, Dirk