What is the definition of a "ton" in relation to air conditioning systems?

A "ton" in relation to air conditioning systems is defined as a measure of cooling capacity equal to the ability to melt one ton of ice in 24 hours. This definition comes from the historical context of how cooling loads were calculated before modern air conditioning systems were widely used.

To elaborate, one ton of cooling capacity is equivalent to 12,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs) per hour. The term originates from the amount of heat required to melt one ton of ice in a 24-hour period, which represents the cooling power that an air conditioning system must provide to achieve a specific temperature level in a given space.

This measure is crucial for sizing air conditioning units correctly. Proper sizing ensures that the system can effectively maintain the desired indoor temperature and humidity levels. The concept of a ton emphasizes the relationship between cooling capacity and heat removal, underscoring the importance of understanding thermodynamics in HVAC applications.