Kilowatt Hour
The kilowatt hour (kWh) is the unit of measurement for energy consumption - one kWh equals the consumption of a 1,000-watt device for one hour.
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Detailed Explanation
The kilowatt hour is the standard unit for billing electricity and gas. It enables comparison of different energy tariffs and calculation of energy costs.
Conversion: - 1 kWh = 1,000 watt hours (Wh) - 1 MWh = 1,000 kWh - 1 GWh = 1,000,000 kWh
Typical consumption (electricity): - 1 person: 1,500 kWh/year - 2 persons: 2,500 kWh/year - 4 persons: 4,000 kWh/year - With hot water: +1,000-1,500 kWh
Examples for 1 kWh: - 10 hours of 100-watt light bulb - 5 hours of laptop - 1 hour of vacuum cleaner - 1 wash load at 60°C
Gas consumption: - Also stated in kWh - 1 m³ natural gas ≈ 10 kWh - Heating: 12,000-20,000 kWh/year (apartment)
Calculation Formula
kWh = Power (kW) × Time (h)Practical Example
A 2,000-watt kettle running for 5 minutes consumes: 2 kW × (5/60) h = 0.167 kWh. At 30 ct/kWh, this costs about 5 cents.
Legal Basis
International System of Units (SI)