Fully comprehending the energy usage and the cost you pay each month is an indispensable part of keeping your electricity bills under budget. When reading your electricity bill, you must have encountered some mysterious units and wondered what they represent, how they are calculated, and how they impact billing.
This comprehensive article is your gateway to demystifying two paramount units, kWh and kW, and how to calculate them at home. Our guide also entails some practical solutions to cut down your conventional energy consumption and potentially save on electricity bills.
What is kWh in the Electricity Bill?
A kilowatt-hour or kWh is the standard unit of measurement used by electricity providers for billing. It represents how many kilowatts an electronic device gobbles up in one hour.
Simply put, if an electronic device is rated at 1,000 watts and operates continuously for one hour, it has consumed one kilowatt.
What is kW in the Electricity Bill?
Another term you may find on your electric bill is kW. People use the terms kW and kWh interchangeably, although they are entirely different.
A kilowatt equals one thousand watts and is the amount of power an electric device needs to operate.
How do I Calculate kW to kWh?
Calculating kW to kWh is a breeze if you know an appliance's kilowatts (kW). All you have to do is multiply the appliance’s kilowatt by the time in hours. For example, if your 3-kW central air conditioning system is used for 2.5 hours, you can calculate its kWh consumption in the following way.
kWh = kW × h
kWh = 3 × 2.5 = 7.5kWh
If you do not know the kilowatts for an appliance, find the wattage label stamped on the back or bottom of the appliance. When you have found the wattage, simply divide the power value by 1000. For example, if an electronic device is rated at 1500 watts, you can calculate the kWh using the following formula:
kW = W ÷ 1000
kW = 1500 ÷ 1000 = 1.5kW
Once you have converted the watts into kilowatts, simply use the formula for kWh conversion, which we have discussed above.
How Do You Calculate the Number of Kwh Used per Day?
In order to calculate your daily kWh consumption, all you need to do is divide your total kWh number by the days covered in your bill. If truth be told, you are not consuming this exact amount of electricity daily. There can be changes based on how much time you spend at home, your activities during this time, and what time of year it is.
An alternative method is to find the day-to-day kWh number based on how many appliances are operational, their kilowatts, and operational hours per day. Nonetheless, this method is hectic as you must work out the mathematics daily.
How are Electricity Bills Calculated?
Understanding how electrical grids calculate your bill is as important as knowing the unit rate of the electricity. You need to understand how much energy you consume, as it determines your home’s electricity bill.
When you read the bill, you see the total cost of your energy consumption over a month. This amount is calculated by multiplying the tariff rate per kWh by how many kilowatt-hours your house has utilized during that month.
How Do I Calculate How Many kWh My Appliance Uses?
Want to calculate the kWh for a specific appliance? Just multiply the appliance’s power rating, usually labeled in watts, by the time you run the appliance and divide the answer by 1,000.
kWh = (W × h) ÷ 1000
You can also see the chart below for your appliance’s estimated energy usage in kWh.
|
Appliance |
Estimated Energy Usage (kWh) |
|
1,500-watt portable heater |
1.5kWh per hour |
|
3-ton central air conditioning system |
3.0kWh per hour |
|
Whole house fan |
0.2 to 0.3kWh per hour |
|
Pedestal fan |
0.03kWh |
|
Ceiling fan |
0.025 to 0.075 kWh |
|
2-slice toaster |
0.04kWh per use |
|
Coffee maker |
0.12kWh per brew |
|
Microwave oven |
0.12kWh per 5 minutes |
|
Dishwasher (Normal cycle) |
1 to 2.17kWh per load |
|
Dishwasher (Energy-saving cycle) |
0.5kWh per load |
|
4-serving waffle iron |
0.33kWh per use |
|
40-inch LED or 4K UHD |
0.071kWh per hour |
|
Laptop |
0.02 to 0.05kWh per hour |
|
Desktop Computer |
0.06 to 0.25kWh per hour |
|
8W LED equivalent to 25W CFL bulb |
0.008kWh per hour |
|
300W Halogen |
0.3kWh per hour |
|
Refrigerator, 15 cu. Ft (Older unit) |
72kWh per month |
|
Refrigerator, 25 cu. Ft (Newer unit) |
63kWh per month |
|
Vacuum cleaner |
0.75kWh per hour |
|
Clothes dryer (Light vs. heavy load) |
2.5 to 4kWh per load |
|
Electric blanket (King) |
1kWh per night |
Why is my KWh Usage so High?
If your electricity bill is going out of control, it means that your monthly kWh usage is high. Here’s why.
Your Appliances are Less Energy-Efficient
One common reason for high kWh usage is the age of your electronic appliances. Generally, large appliances like refrigerators and heating systems consume more energy; if these appliances are over ten years old, they will significantly increase your kWh consumption.
You Use Lighting Incautiously
Many homeowners like their rooms bright. Consequently, to achieve maximum brightness, they keep their lights on the entire day, even when nobody is around. However, they underestimate that more lighting means more kWh consumption, which contributes to high electricity bills.
Standby Devices are the Culprit
The average desktop laptop and mobile phone get fully replenished in two or three hours. However, some models continue draining energy in standby mode. The same applies to your central air conditioner’s sleep mode.
The Wiring of Your Home is Defective
Although defective wiring is less ordinary, it can significantly escalate your kWh consumption. When defective wires come in contact with conductors, they heat up and consume a relatively higher amount of energy.
Tips for Saving Electricity Bill
Now that we have discussed all the contributing factors for high kWh, you might feel overwhelmed. But remember, every problem has a solution. Here are some verified tips you can implement to save on electricity bills.
Purchase Energy Star Appliances
If your old appliances have become voltage vampires, it is time to throw them out. Nonetheless, when buying new appliances, remember to check their power rating and look for the Energy Star efficiency on the display of every new appliance. Energy Star is a government-backed program for energy efficiency; the products with this symbol are more energy efficient and can help save capital in the long run.
Use Your Lights Strategically
Use your lights thoughtfully to brighten the areas that need more light, such as kitchen shelves and workspaces. Also, remember to switch off the light when not in use. You can also try saving energy by replacing your power-hungry incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient CFL or LED bulbs.
Unplug Electronics at Night
Be aware of your device’s charging times, and remember to unplug them before you sleep. Plug your monitors, desktop computers, televisions, and video game consoles into power strips you can switch off when not in use.
Repair Your Defective Wiring Immediately
If you suspect that your home’s wiring is defective, immediately hire an electrician to investigate the matter. Common signs of faulty wiring include flickering lights, discoloration around power dockets, and tripping circuit breakers. Proper wiring is necessary to ensure electrical safety and avoid high kWh usage.
Invest in Solar Generator Kits
Solar generator kits can also be a wise investment if you want significant savings on your electricity bill. Although their upfront cost is high, they can keep your essential devices powered off-grid for several days. Below are our recommendations for the best solar generator kits.
BLUETTI AC200MAX + 3*PV200 Solar Generator Kit
The AC200MAX is an ultra-modern solar generator that brings along three photovoltaic panels. Packed with an astonishing capacity of 2,048Wh, the AC200MAX can deliver a continuous output of 2,200 watts and a surge power of 4,800 watts.
The AC200MAX also includes two expansion ports, so purchasing a new generator is unnecessary if your energy demand increases. You can simply boost the total capacity to an astonishing 8,192Wh with two B230 (2,048Wh each) or B300 (3,072Wh each) battery modules.
With seven different ways to recharge, the AC200MAX solar generator also offers flexible charging methods wherever you go. Concisely, the system has less to spend on but more features to love.
BLUETTI AC200P + 3*PV200 Solar Generator Kit
Is your electricity bill eating a massive share of your salary? The AC200P is your all-weather friend that can keep you electrified no matter where you are. Packed with 2,000Wh capacity, the AC200P can support your electricity needs during RV trips and forest adventures. Its AC pure sine wave inverter with a 2,000W rating can accommodate a surge power of 4,800W.
Besides the AC outlets, the system includes USB-A and USB-C ports, a specialized RV port, and 15-watt wireless chargers to support all your power needs.
The generator's premium LiFePO4 battery is thermal-resistant and offers 3500+ life cycles, meaning you can avail yourself of the system’s benefits for almost ten years.
Final Thoughts
Kilowatt-hours provide an accurate estimate of your energy usage and a practical way to reduce your electricity bill. You can know which electronic appliances are high-use items and devise a strategic energy consumption plan.
Alternatively, purchasing a solar power generator can be a prudent choice. Above, we have included a review of the most reliable and affordable solar generator kits. You can calculate your kWh usage and buy any of them depending on your needs.
