1 HP Water Chiller vs. 1 Ton: Understanding HP Rating in Chillers
Many people search for a “1 HP water chiller,” but what they often need is a 1 ton chiller. Horsepower (HP) and tons are not the same. HP measures motor power, while tons measure industrial cooling capacity. This guide clears up the difference and explains what Cold Shot offers in this range.
What Horsepower (HP) Means in Chillers
Horsepower in a chiller refers to the motors: compressor, pump, or fan motor. A 1 HP compressor motor does not mean the chiller provides 1 ton of cooling. HP is about input power, not the cooling output.
For example, a pump motor might be 1 HP while the chiller itself delivers several tons of cooling. HP is also tied to efficiency. A compressor with higher efficiency (COP or EER) can deliver more cooling tons per HP consumed.
What Tons Mean in Chillers
Tons measure the actual cooling capacity of a chiller. 1 ton of cooling = 12,000 BTU/hr of heat removal. Chillers are always rated in tons because this reflects how much heat they can pull from a process. If you need to size a chiller, focus on tons, not HP.
The formula is simple:
BTU/hr ÷ 12,000 = Tons of cooling.
BTU/hr to Tons Conversion Chart
| BTU/hr | Tons of Cooling |
| 12,000 | 1 Ton |
| 24,000 | 2 Tons |
| 36,000 | 3 Tons |
| 48,000 | 4 Tons |
| 60,000 | 5 Tons |
Common Misunderstanding: 1 HP vs. 1 Ton
Many buyers assume 1 HP equals 1 ton. This is not true. For example, a 1 HP pump motor can be paired with a 3 ton chiller. On the other hand, a true 1 ton chiller may use a compressor larger than 1 HP.
A quick example: if your process generates 24,000 BTU/hr of heat, you need a 2 ton chiller. Depending on efficiency, the compressor might be in the range of 1.5-2.5 HP, not exactly 2 HP.
Why People Search for “1 HP Water Chiller”
Small-scale users often search this term (think labs, breweries, medical devices, or light manufacturing setups). They think in terms of motor horsepower instead of cooling tons. As an industrial chiller manufacturer, Cold Shot sees this question often, which is why it’s important to clear up the difference.
Example: a small brewery might believe a 1 HP chiller is enough for a fermentation tank, but in reality the heat load requires a 2 ton unit with a larger compressor.
Finding the Right Fit
A “1 HP water chiller” usually means someone is looking for a small chiller. The right way to size is by tons of cooling capacity, not HP rating. Cold Shot can help you select the right unit for your exact needs. Get in touch to learn more about our 1-5 ton portable chillers and explore custom industrial cooling solutions for your process.
Pump HP vs. Cooling Tons
Pump HP is tied to flow rate (gpm) and pressure (psi) needed by the process, not cooling capacity. For example, a 1 HP pump might circulate 20 gpm at 30 psi, whether the chiller is 1 ton or 3 tons. This is another reason why HP and tons should not be confused.
Selecting the Right Unit
When choosing a chiller, focus on tons of cooling. Match the unit to your process heat load, not the motor HP. For applications where someone might think of a “1 HP water chiller,” Cold Shot offers portable water chillers starting at 1/4 ton, designed for small but demanding process loads.
Key Specs to Consider:
- Cooling capacity in tons or BTU/hr.
- Pump horsepower and available upgrades.
- Stainless steel reservoir size.
- Controls: hot gas bypass, capacity control alarm output, and digital water pressure display.
- Internal pumping system for simplified setup.
- Efficiency ratings (COP/EER) for power-to-cooling performance.
Explore Cold Shot Chillers’ Options
Cold Shot manufactures portable chillers starting at 1 ton and scaling up from there. All units are made in the USA and built for durability. Customers can select from upgrades such as valves, visual alarms, or communications packages. These types of chillers are widely used in industrial process cooling applications across plastics, brewing, medical, and more.
Contact us today to learn more.
