Terminology » RF Basics » KW vs KWH: Understanding the Key Differences

KW vs KWH: Understanding the Key Differences

power energy kilowatt electricity consumption

This article clarifies the difference between KW (Kilowatt) and KWH (Kilowatt Hour). Let’s break down each term:

KW - Kilowatt: The Measure of Power

  • What it is: A kilowatt (KW) measures how powerful something is in terms of electricity consumption. Think of it as how fast something uses electricity.
  • What it relates to: Power.
  • Other units of power: Watt, Joule/Sec, Horse-Power, erg/s, BTU/h.

KWH - Kilowatt Hour: The Measure of Energy

  • What it is: A kilowatt hour (KWH) measures how much fuel a device will consume or use over time.
  • What it relates to: Energy.
  • Other units of energy: Calorie, Joule, BTU, therm, eV.

Converting Kilowatts to Kilowatt Hours

Understanding energy usage over time is crucial, especially when calculating your electricity bill. Utility companies use KWH to determine your consumption.

Here’s how to calculate KWH from KW for a month (30 days):

Energy = Power x Time Energy consumption in KWH = KW x Duration in Hours/day x days/month


## Power vs. Energy: An Analogy

Think of **energy** like **distance** and **power** like **speed**.