Electricity Consumption Formula:
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The kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the standard unit of electrical energy consumption used by utility companies for billing purposes. It represents the amount of energy consumed when a 1,000-watt appliance operates for one hour.
The calculator uses the electricity consumption formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula converts the power rating of an appliance and its usage time into the standard energy unit used for electricity billing.
Details: Calculating electricity consumption helps in understanding energy usage patterns, estimating electricity bills, identifying energy-efficient appliances, and managing household or business energy costs effectively.
Tips: Enter the power consumption in watts (found on appliance labels or specifications) and the usage time in hours. Both values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What's the difference between watts and kilowatt-hours?
A: Watts measure power (rate of energy use), while kilowatt-hours measure energy consumption (power × time).
Q2: How do I find the wattage of my appliances?
A: Check the appliance label, user manual, or manufacturer's specifications. Some appliances list amps and volts - multiply them to get watts.
Q3: Can I calculate monthly electricity costs with this?
A: Yes, multiply the kWh result by your electricity rate (cost per kWh) and by the number of days used per month.
Q4: What is a typical household appliance wattage?
A: LED bulb: 5-15W, Laptop: 50-100W, Refrigerator: 100-400W, Microwave: 600-1200W, Air conditioner: 1000-3500W.
Q5: Why divide by 1000 in the formula?
A: To convert from watt-hours to kilowatt-hours, since 1 kilowatt = 1000 watts and utility companies bill in kWh.