BTU

Heat Management for LED Displays

LED displays convert electrical power into light and heat. Understanding BTU output helps specify appropriate cooling for venues hosting LED installations.

Calculating Heat Output

The conversion from electrical watts to thermal BTUs follows a simple formula:

• 1 watt = 3.412 BTU/hour

For LED displays, approximately 60-70% of input power becomes heat. The remaining 30-40% produces visible light (plus some infrared). Conservative calculations assume all electrical power converts to heat.

Example Calculation:

• 100 LED panels at 200 watts each = 20,000 watts
• 20,000 watts x 3.41 = 68,200 BTU/hour heat load

Heat Sources in LED Installations

LED Panels: The primary heat source, generating heat at both the LED surface and power supply/driver electronics.

Processors and Control: LED processors, computers, and networking equipment add 1,000-3,000 watts of heat load.

Power Distribution: PDUs, cables, and connections generate heat through electrical resistance.

Cooling Requirements

HVAC Capacity: Venue air conditioning must handle the total heat load plus normal building cooling requirements. Most commercial HVAC systems rate capacity in tons (1 ton = 12,000 BTU/hour).

Airflow: LED panels require unobstructed air circulation, typically front-to-back or bottom-to-top depending on panel design.

Ambient Temperature: Installations in already-warm environments need additional cooling capacity. LED performance degrades as ambient temperature rises.

Touring and Temporary Installations

Temporary installations in venues with inadequate HVAC may require:

• Portable air conditioning units
• Reduced display brightness (lowering heat output)
• Additional fans for air circulation
• Scheduled breaks to allow cooling

Permanent Installation Considerations

Fixed installations should account for seasonal temperature variations. Summer operation may require additional cooling or brightness reduction. Consider supplemental cooling specifically zoned for the display area rather than increasing whole-building HVAC capacity.

Monitoring and Protection

Most LED panels include thermal monitoring with automatic brightness reduction or shutdown at critical temperatures. Configure these thresholds appropriately for your environment and monitor operating temperatures during initial operation.