The electricity bill is calculated based on the number of units consumed. But how much is 1 unit of electricity? Ever wondered? Let’s find out.
How much is 1 unit of electricity?
One unit of electricity is consumed when we use 1,000 Watts for one hour or 1 kW for one hour. In other words, 1 unit is 1 kWh or 1,000 Wh of electricity. To give you an idea, if you use a 100 Watt appliance for 10 hours, you consume 1 unit of electricity.
100 Watt × 10 hours = 1000 Wh = 1kWh = 1 unit = 3,600,000 Joules
Some examples to make the picture more clear-
If you use an 80 Watt ceiling fan for 12.5 hours you consume 1 unit of electricity.
80 W × 12.5 hours = 1000 Wh = 1 kWh
If you use a 50 Watt appliance for 20 hours you consume 1 unit.
50 W × 20 hours = 1000 Wh = 1 kWh
Daily usage
To calculate your daily usage, use the following formula-
Number of units consumed daily = (Total wattage of appliances × total time of usage in hours)/1000
Energy savings
For saving electricity and reducing your electricity bill, use certified appliances with better energy-saving ratings. LED lights are the most energy-efficient lights nowadays. Just like LED lights, LED TV will also help reduce your bill amount. In India, 5-star rating (by the Bureau of energy efficiency) appliances are the most energy-efficient. They have a higher initial cost but most of these appliances may increase your monthly savings.
The best way to reduce or even nullify your electricity bill is by using solar panels. With technological advancements, solar panels are becoming more and more powerful. Initial costs may be high but the later savings are immense. Also, most solar panels come with a warranty of more than 10 years.
India is very quickly moving towards renewable resources of energy. By the end of this decade, the majority of electricity production in India will be from renewable resources. Hydropower and solar energy are the fastest-growing methods of electricity generation. Also, the government is planning to apply uniform electricity rates throughout India. We can expect our electricity bills to come down in a few years’ time.
