CFM to kW Converter
CFM to kW Converter
Our handy CFM to kW calculator transforms airflow measurements from Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) into kilowatts (kW) of power.
CFM to kW Conversion Chart
| CFM Converted to | kW (at 1 in. water, 70% efficiency) |
|---|---|
| 100 | 0.018 |
| 200 | 0.037 |
| 300 | 0.055 |
| 400 | 0.074 |
| 500 | 0.092 |
| 600 | 0.111 |
| 700 | 0.129 |
| 800 | 0.148 |
| 900 | 0.166 |
| 1,000 | 0.185 |
| 2,000 | 0.370 |
| 3,000 | 0.555 |
| 4,000 | 0.740 |
| 5,000 | 0.925 |
| 6,000 | 1.110 |
| 7,000 | 1.295 |
| 8,000 | 1.480 |
| 9,000 | 1.665 |
| 10,000 | 1.850 |
CFM to kW Formula
The equation uses air density, pressure differential, and efficiency factors:
kW = (CFM × ΔP × 0.746) / (6356 × η)Where ΔP represents pressure differential in inches of water gauge (iwg),
η denotes the overall system efficiency
Converting 1500 CFM with a pressure differential of 2.5 iwg and 85% efficiency would yield approximately 0.44 kW of power consumption.
How to Convert CFM to kW
Begin by measuring the exact airflow rate in CFM and determining the system’s operating pressure.
Factor in the ambient temperature and altitude, as these elements influence air density.
Next, apply the conversion formula while considering the system’s mechanical efficiency.
In a data center cooling system operating at 2000 CFM with 3.0 iwg pressure differential and 80% efficiency, the power requirement calculates to roughly 0.88 kW.
A small office ventilation system running at 500 CFM with 1.5 iwg pressure differential and 75% efficiency consumes approximately 0.15 kW.
Moving up to medium-scale operations, 2500 CFM under similar conditions requires 0.74 kW.
In industrial applications, 5000 CFM demands 1.48 kW.
What is CFM?
Cubic Feet per Minute represents a fundamental measurement of airflow volume in ventilation and air conditioning systems. This volumetric flow rate indicates how many cubic feet of air pass through a specific point within sixty seconds.
What is kW?
A kilowatt functions as the standard unit of power in electrical and mechanical systems, representing 1000 watts of energy transfer per second. This metric measurement plays a vital role in quantifying energy consumption, system capacity, and operational costs.
References
U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/building-technologies-office