Watt’s Watt? kW vs. kWh

Here’s a brief description of the roles watt, kilowatt, and kilowatt-hour play in our electricity bills.

The basic unit of electrical measurement is a watt. Let’s say we have a 100-watt incandescent bulb. That means it needs, or demands, 100 watts to work. Watts add up quickly, so we use the term “kilowatt” (kW), which is a short way to say 1,000 watts. Remember a kW only describes the amount of electrical energy needed to make devices work.

A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is how many 1,000 watts are actually used, or consumed, in one hour. If our 100-watt light bulb burns for 10 hours, it consumes 1,000 watt-hours or 1 kWh.

To calculate kilowatt-hours, take the wattage of the device, multiply by the number of hours you use it, and divide by 1,000. (Dividing by 1,000 changes it from watt-hours to kilowatt-hours.)

How to figure the cost of running a device:

wattage of device x hours used ÷ 1,000 x price per kWh = cost of electricity

For example, let’s say you leave a 100-watt bulb running continuously (730 hours a month), and you’re paying 10¢/kWh through your utility. Your cost to run the bulb all month is 100 x 730 ÷ 1,000 x $0.10 = $7.30.

But many consumers don’t realize that the demand and consumption of electricity affect the rates they pay. For example: A 100-watt light bulb burning for 10 hours is better that ten 100-watt light bulbs burning for 1 hour. Even though you’ve used 1 kWh either way, it costs more for the utility to provide you with 1 kWh over 30 minutes than it does to do so over 20 hours. The faster the rate at which you ask a utility to supply electricity, the higher your demand, and the higher the cost to the utility.

Wattage note: Appliances like refrigerators have compressors that do not run constantly, so their wattages might not be as accurate.

Light bulb note: The watt measurement on a light bulb does not indicate brightness, only how much electricity it will use. Compare “lumens” when deciding which low-watt CFL bulb to use.

_____________________________________
Focusing Energy on Area Youth

We focus on youth in our community through various sponsored programs, which members can take part in. Check out the "Youth Programs" page under "Community Activities" to find out about upcoming opportunities for youths of all ages.

Programs include: John D. Rudd Memorial Scholarship Program, Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., Touchstone Energy Camp, and an Art Contest.

_____________________________________

Capital Credit Retirement
click here for details

_________________________

SCI News!

There Are No News Items At This Time

SCI Swap N Shop!

Click on the Classified Ad to view the details.

See More Classifieds

Post An Ad – FREE!