Kilowatt-Hour (kWh): The Unit That Matters

A kilowatt-hour is how utilities measure your electricity consumption. Here's the simple definition:

1 kWh = 1,000 watts used for 1 hour

Real-World Examples

  • Running a 100-watt lightbulb for 10 hours = 1 kWh
  • Running a 1,000-watt microwave for 1 hour = 1 kWh
  • Running a 5,000-watt electric heater for 12 minutes = 1 kWh

Why This Matters for Your Bill

Your energy bill is calculated as: (your kWh usage) × (your rate per kWh) = your supply charge

For example:
900 kWh × 10¢/kWh = $90 for the month

How Utilities Measure kWh

Your utility reads your meter (increasingly, these are "smart meters" that report automatically) to see how many kilowatt-hours you used that month.

Average Ohio residential usage is 800-1,000 kWh per month, depending on season, home size, and energy efficiency.

The Comparison Shopping Angle

When comparing suppliers, always look at the price per kWh. One supplier might say "$89/month" but another might quote "9.2¢/kWh"—you need to understand that they're measuring the same thing to compare fairly.