Kilowatt-hours to kilowatts calculator

Kilowatt-hours (kWh) and kilowatts (kW) are commonly used terms when discussing energy and power. Understanding the difference between them is key to calculating energy usage and optimizing power consumption.

What Is a Kilowatt-Hour?

A kilowatt-hour is a measure of energy. It represents the amount of energy used when a device with a power rating of one kilowatt operates for one hour. For example:

• A 1 kW heater running for 1 hour uses 1 kWh of energy.
• A 2 kW appliance running for 30 minutes also consumes 1 kWh.

What Is a Kilowatt?

A kilowatt is a measure of power. Power refers to the rate at which energy is used or produced. One kilowatt equals 1,000 watts. For example:

• A 100-watt lightbulb running for 10 hours uses 1 kWh of energy.
• A 2 kW washing machine uses 2 kWh for every hour of operation.

Converting Kilowatt-Hours to Kilowatts

To convert kilowatt-hours to kilowatts, you need to know how long the device has been running. The formula is:

\[
\text{kW} = \frac{\text{kWh}}{\text{Hours}}
\]

For example:

• If a device consumes 4 kWh in 2 hours, its power rating is:
  \[
  \text{kW} = \frac{4}{2} = 2 \, \text{kW}
  \]
• If an appliance uses 1.5 kWh over 3 hours, its power is:
  \[
  \text{kW} = \frac{1.5}{3} = 0.5 \, \text{kW}
  \]