The watt (W) is the SI base unit of power, defined as one joule per second, measuring the rate of energy transfer. From light bulb brightness ratings to phone charger output, the watt appears in everyday product specifications worldwide. One watt equals exactly 1 joule per second, or about 0.001341 horsepower.

BTU per hour (BTU/h) equals approximately 0.293 watts, the standard rating unit for air conditioners, heaters, and furnaces in North America. A typical window air conditioner rated at 10,000 BTU/h can cool a 400–500 square foot room, making this unit essential for HVAC system sizing. One BTU/h equals about 0.2931 watts.