Kilóvattstundum

Kilóvattstundum, often abbreviated as kWh, is a unit of energy. It represents the amount of energy consumed or produced when a power of one kilowatt (kW) is used for a duration of one hour (h). One kilowatt is equal to 1,000 watts. Therefore, one kilowatt-hour is equivalent to 1,000 watt-hours. This unit is commonly used to measure electricity consumption for households and businesses, and it is typically what appears on electricity bills.

To understand it better, imagine a light bulb that uses 100 watts. If this light bulb is left on for 10 hours, it will consume 100 watts * 10 hours = 1,000 watt-hours, which is equal to 1 kilowatt-hour. Similarly, a 2,000-watt electric heater running for 30 minutes (half an hour) would consume 2,000 watts * 0.5 hours = 1,000 watt-hours, or 1 kilowatt-hour.

Kilowatt-hours are a practical measure for quantifying energy usage over time. It allows for consistent comparison of energy consumption across different appliances and devices. The cost of electricity is usually calculated based on the number of kilowatt-hours consumed. The joule is the SI unit of energy, and one kilowatt-hour is equivalent to 3.6 million joules.