How to Calculate Power Consumptions in a USA House
Calculating the cost of the electricity used in your home necessitates knowing how much electrical power your home has consumed. Knowing the power consumption means you don't pay more than you need to, and helps you plan ways to reduce your bill and save money. The supply company's electricity meter records the quantity of electricity consumed in your home. Two meter readings and a simple mathematical calculation enable you to calculate your household power consumption.
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Instructions
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How to Calculate Power Consumption in a USA House
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Determine the period over which to measure the power consumption. Read the value shown on the electricity meter at the start and at the end of this period. For example, to calculate your power consumption over one day read the meter, then read it again 24 hours later.
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Enter the second reading into the calculator. Subtract the first reading. If the first reading was 2,200 and the final was 2,250, enter 2,250 -- 2,200.
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The answer is the power consumption in kilowatt hours (kWh) during that period. In this example, 2,250 -- 2,200 = 50, so the house consumed 50 kWh of electricity.
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Tips & Warnings
Electricity suppliers mount the meter on or close to the electricity supply board, or in a box attached to an outside wall.
Modern meters have a digital display. Traditional meters display numbers printed on revolving wheels.
Electricity suppliers sell electricity by the kilowatt hour. One kWh is also called one unit.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit old electric plug image by Sergey Shlyaev from Fotolia.com
