What Is a Kilowatt-Hour?
What It Is
A kilowatt-hour is a unit of measurement used to track how much electricity is used over time.
How It Works
One kilowatt-hour equals using 1,000 watts of power for one hour.
Electric companies use this unit to calculate electricity consumption.
Where It’s Used
- Electric utility bills
- Home energy monitoring
- Appliance energy ratings
Simple Examples
- Running a 1,000-watt appliance for one hour
- Running a 100-watt bulb for ten hours
- Total daily home electricity use
What to Know Next
Electric bills charge based on the total number of kilowatt-hours used.
Simple Caution
A kilowatt-hour measures energy use, not speed or power level.
Closing Summary
A kilowatt-hour is a standard unit that measures how much electricity is used over a period of time.
