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What does kWh mean?

Our expert says...

Hello Alex,

Thanks for your question. I know that looking at an energy bill and trying to work how it’s been calculated can be quite confusing, but once you know what it is you’re being measured on, it’s easy to see ways in which you can reduce your energy consumption and therefore save money on your bills.

Here’s a basic guide to understanding kWh and energy usage:

What does kWh mean?

A kilowatt hour, or kWh as it’s more commonly known, is a unit of energy. The energy your household uses will be calculated and charged for by your energy supplier in kWh.

How do I calculate how much energy I’m using?

Firstly, it’s important to understand how a kWh is calculated. kWh is a measure of energy, and is calculated by multiplying the power of the appliance by the amount of time it is used.

As long as you know your appliances’ energy consumption rating, the time you use it for, and the cost of a unit of electricity from your supplier (this can be found on your energy bill), you can work out how much it is costing to run any electrical appliance.

For example, if a 2.5 kW kettle is used for two hours a week, and a unit of electricity costs £0.08, then the number of units used is 2.5 kW multiplied 2 hours. This is 5 kWh. Top find the cost of using the kettle over a week you multiply the number of units used by the cost per unit. In this example the cost of running a kettle over a week would equal £0.40 of your electricity bill.

How much energy do my appliances use?

You should use the above calculations to work out exactly how much energy your appliances are using. The table below is a rough guide on the number of units various appliances use:

So, if you eat two slices of toast a day for a month, this equates to about one unit of electricity, and if you cook meals for a family of four over a month, about 80 units.

How can I reduce my energy usage?

Following last year’s energy price rises, many people are finding themselves faced with increased gas and electricity costs and are worried about high energy bills.

However, there are simple actions you can take, such as buying energy saving light bulbs, that will help cut your bills.

Read this article for tips on reducing your energy bills, and make sure you download our free guide to energy efficiency to find out how you can make important changes around your home that will not only cut your energy bills, but also help tackle climate change.

This should help you to make head and tail of your energy bills Alex!

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