diff --git a/ph_units/unit_type.py b/ph_units/unit_type.py
index 5f2fea7..e99026a 100644
--- a/ph_units/unit_type.py
+++ b/ph_units/unit_type.py
@@ -71,12 +71,12 @@ def unit(self):
 
     def as_a(self, unit):
         # type: (str) -> Unit
-        """Return a new Unit in the specified unit-type."""
-        new_value = convert(self.value, self.unit, unit)
-        if not new_value:
-            raise ValueError(
-                "Cannot convert from '{}' to '{}'.".format(self.unit, unit)
-            )
+        """Return a new Unit with the value converted to the specified unit-type."""
+        try:
+            new_value = convert(self.value, self.unit, unit)
+        except Exception as e:
+            msg = "Error trying to convert '{}' from '{}' to '{}'".format(self.value, self.unit, unit)
+            raise ValueError(msg, e)
         return Unit(new_value, unit)
 
     def _invert_unit(self, unit):
diff --git a/tests/test_as_a.py b/tests/test_as_a.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a9a6869
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_as_a.py
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+from ph_units.unit_type import Unit
+
+def test_basic_use() -> None:
+    assert Unit(1.0, "KWH").as_a("KBTU") == Unit(3.41214, "KBTU")
+
+
+def test_zero_value() -> None:
+    assert Unit(0, "KWH").as_a("KBTU") == Unit(0, "KBTU")