How is one ton of refrigeration defined in terms of BTU?

One ton of refrigeration is defined as the amount of cooling required to freeze one ton of water at 32 degrees Fahrenheit in a 24-hour period. This is equivalent to the heat absorption capability of 12,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs) per hour. This definition stems from the historical context of refrigeration, where processes were initially designed to freeze large quantities of ice, and it has been standardized in many applications within the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry. Therefore, the correct answer reinforces this defined standard that is widely accepted in the field.