Kilowatt-hour (kWh)

A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of energy commonly used to measure electricity consumption in Australia. It represents the amount of energy used by a device with a power rating of 1 kilowatt (kW) operating for one hour. The kWh is the standard unit of measurement on electricity bills, indicating how much energy has been consumed over a billing period.

In Australia, electricity meters record consumption in kWh, which utilities use to calculate charges based on the rate per kWh. As of 2024, the average residential electricity price in Australia ranges from AUD 0.25 to AUD 0.35 per kWh, depending on the state and energy provider. For example, if a household uses 500 kWh in a month and the rate is AUD 0.30 per kWh, the electricity cost for that month would be AUD 150.

Understanding kWh is essential for electricians and consumers alike, as it allows for the calculation of energy usage and costs. For instance, a typical Australian household might have appliances like a 2.4 kW air conditioner, which, if run for 4 hours a day, would consume 9.6 kWh (2.4 kW x 4 hours) daily, costing approximately AUD 2.88 per day at a rate of AUD 0.30 per kWh.