Canonical Definition
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of electric energy equal to one kilowatt of power used continuously for one hour. It is the standard billing unit for residential electricity consumption in the United States. A customer's meter records cumulative kWh usage, and the utility multiplies kWh consumed during the billing period by the applicable rate to calculate energy charges.
Explanations
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the unit used to measure how much electricity you use, and it is what most home electric bills are based on. Using 1,000 watts of power for one hour equals one kWh. For example, running a 1,000-watt space heater for an hour uses about 1 kWh. Your meter counts kWh, and your utility multiplies that number by its price per kWh to figure your energy charge.
A kilowatt-hour is how your bill counts power, like miles on a trip. Run ten 100-watt bulbs for one hour. That adds up to one kilowatt-hour.
Analogy Bank
A kilowatt-hour is like the odometer in a car — it keeps adding up the total energy you've used over time.
Think of kWh like the gallons on your water bill: it's the measured quantity you consumed that you actually pay for.
A kilowatt-hour is like a full juice box of energy — run a big 1,000-watt appliance for an hour and you've used one whole box.
Do Not Say
- ✕Do not quote a specific price per kWh; rates vary by utility, rate plan, and season.
- ✕Do not promise a bill equals usage times a single rate; bills often include fixed charges, tiers, and surcharges.
- ✕Do not use kW and kWh interchangeably when explaining charges on a bill.