What is the difference between kilowatt and kWh?

A kilowatt (kW) is the amount of power something needs just to turn it on. A kilowatt hour (kWh) is the amount of power that device will use over the course of an hour. Here’s an example: If you have a 1,000 watt drill, it takes 1,000 watts (or one kW) to make it work.

Is a kWh a unit of power?

It isn’t readily apparent, but the simple answer is yes; a kWh is a unit of power. Let’s look at the difference between power and energy to understand the answer, terms we often use interchangeably. In physics, energy is defined by an entity’s ability to perform work; in this case, electrical energy.

What is the difference between power and kW?

Power is the rate at which energy is generated or used. The kW is a unit of power. (Strictly speaking energy isn't actually generated or used, it's converted from one form into another. Like how the energy stored in oil is converted into heat when you burn it.

What is a kilowatt hour?

A kilowatt hour (kWh) is the amount of power that device will use over the course of an hour. Here’s an example: If you have a 1,000 watt drill, it takes 1,000 watts (or one kW) to make it work. If you run that drill for one hour, you’ll have used up one kilowatt of energy for that hour, or one kWh. What Can 1 Kilowatt-Hour Power?

How does a building's kW affect energy use?

The higher a building's kW, the faster that building is using energy. Joules per second (J/s) is a nice, clear unit of power. Joules per second makes it obvious that power is the rate at which energy is being generated or used. It's like how miles per hour makes it obvious that speed is the rate at which distance is being travelled.

What is the difference between energy and power?

Well, the difference is this: While Energy, measured in Wh or kWh, represents the “quantity” of electricity that has been consumed or produced over a certain period of time, Power, measured in W or kW, represents the “rate” at which Energy is consumed or produced at a given moment.