Solar energy, is measured in kilo-Watt-hours kWh or with large solar installations, mega-Watt-hours mWh. A watt W measures the rate at which energy is produced or consumed. We usually pay for our electrical energy based on the amount of kilowatt hours kWh used - this is the equivalent to 1 kW of power expended over 1 hour of time.
In a Flash A watt hour measures the amount of energy used over a period of time. Burning Questions. What is a watt?
Here's what we mean: A brighter light bulb a W bulb uses energy at a higher rate than a dimmer light bulb a 60 W bulb. This means the brighter light bulb needs a bigger electrical flow to work - that's why it has a higher wattage. So what's a kilowatt? A kilowatt just means watts - simple! What is a watt-hour? And what's a kilowatt hour? How is solar energy measured?
Solar energy measurement in action: If your solar panels continuously output 1 kW of power for a period of 1 hour , they'll have produced 1 kWh of energy. How much are your electrical devices are costing you? Power is the rate at which energy is produced or consumed. Make a list of appliances that you frequently use and do the same calculations. You can then start to balance your usage by examining which appliances require the most power kW and energy kWh.
Utility companies measure your kWh with digital meters right outside of your home where the power line goes into the property. While traditional meters require a utility service to come to your home, newer digital meters have an electronic display that uses a high-frequency signal to send data to the utility companies.
Now that you have a better understanding of kW versus kWh, and the different uses of electricity , you can take a closer look at your bill and begin to analyze your energy consumption. For a more detailed understanding, consider investing in a home energy monitor. You can lower your electricity bill by being energy conscious and following some easy energy-saving practices. Replace incandescent lightbulbs with energy-saving LEDs and get in the habit of turning off the lights whenever you leave a room.
Look into buying smart power bars for parts of your home with several electronic devices e. You can set a timer on a smart power bar so that it automatically turns off power to the devices overnight. That means the average household electricity consumption kWh per day is The easiest way to see how much electricity you use is to simply check your electric bill. Your electricity provider will show the number of kilowatt-hours you use each month. Some have also started to add small charts on your bill so you can see monthly trends and patterns.
In addition, if you have a Smart Meter, your electricity provider probably also provides online tools for you to track your usage.
Some also send out weekly status reports to your email to show you how much electricity you have used in the past week and forecast how much you will use in the upcoming week. If you are interested in reducing your electricity bill, knowing your kWh usage is the first step. It begins by doing simple things like turning off the lights when you leave the room and adjusting your thermostat when you go to work.
You can take even more control over your expenses by paying attention to your appliances. In addition, use energy saving appliances every chance you get. If you are in a deregulated electricity market like Texas , Ohio or Connecticut , you can shop for a cheap electricity rate.
Your local utility company continues to deliver electricity to your home, respond in the case of a power outage and read your meter. However, your supply can come from a competitive retail energy supplier. This allows you to pick from a fixed rate plan, prepaid electricity, free nights or free weekends, and green energy. Or you can select the cheapest electricity provider in your area. Read more: 12 Ways to Reduce your Electricity Costs.
What is a Kilowatt-Hour? Kilowatt-Hour vs.
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