Horsepower
Horsepower is a measure of power or work output, usually in reference to machines or engine power. In some areas, it has been superseded by the units of watts, kilowatts or kilowatt hours (W/kW/kWh), which are part of the International System of Units (SI).
A watt (W) is the unit of electrical or mechanical power and equates to 1 joule per second. The metric horsepower unit is equal to 75 kilogram-meters per second which is approximately 735.5 watts. Imperial horsepower from the British Imperial System, equals 33,000 foot-pounds of work per minute or the power needed to lift 33,000 pounds one foot high in one minute which is about 745.7 watts.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
New measures to stop people being ripped off
Government to protect families from cowboy builders and aggressive bailiffs.
New Futurebuild showcase brings an innovation-first approach.
National Planning Policy Framework
Understanding the 2026 changes.
ECA's public affairs priorities
Member consultation opens to shape priorities for 2027 to 2030.
Dutyholder responsibilities from 1 July 2026.
Where performance meets practice
The Building Envelope Stage at UKCW Birmingham.
CIAT publishes briefing on planning reforms.
Leaders in Learning for Practice Network
Call for conservation leaders in learning to register interest in new network.
The importance of early engagement
Construction lessons from the Trillium HealthWorks Experience Centre.
Mayors are to be given planning call in powers
Mayors across England will be able to make the most important planning decisions.
The Master Builder: William Butterfield and his times. Book review.
Why construction can't afford to ignore the skills gap.



















Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.