How Can I Calculate How Many Kilowatts I Use?

Your electric meter records your energy usage in kilowatt-hours.

Each appliance in your home carries its own power rating. A lamp, for instance, might consume 100 watts. A toaster might use 500 watts. The total number of watts that you consume depends on each appliance's power rating and the frequency with which each one runs. Though you can try to monitor each appliance's use, you'll likely end up with an inaccurate estimate. Instead, derive your consumption rate from your total energy consumption during a period of time.

Instructions

1. Refer to your electric bill to find your electricity usage for the month. Your bill may, for instance, charge you for consuming 856 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy.

2. Divide your monthly energy use by the number of days in the month. If you consumed 856 kW in April: 856 / 30 = 28.5 kWh. You use an average of 28.5 kWh each day.

3. Divide your daily energy use by 24: 28.5 / 24 = 1.19. You consume energy at the rate of approximately 1.19 kilowatts.

References

• University of Washington: Measuring Electric Power at Home Without Special Tools
• Georgia State University: Household Energy Use

Resources

• Consumers Power: Online Usage Calculator
• Department of Energy: Assess Your Home