Refrigeration machines are rated in tons of refrigeration. This rating indicates the size and ability to produce cooling energy in a given period. One ton of refrigeration has cooling energy equal to that produced by 1 ton of ice melting in 24 hours. Since it takes 288,000 Btu of heat to melt 1 ton of ice, a 1-ton machine will absorb 288,000 Btu in a 24-hour period.
