Energy is the resource we understand least. It is hard to develop a feel for how much energy we use, and how much we could save. Energy is measured in kilowatt-hours. How much work could you do with kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy?
kWh (drag to adjust) is the energy stored in:
- litres of petrol/gasoline ( US galons)
- AA sized long-life alkaline batteries
With kWh of energy you could:
- Drive km ( miles)*
- Bring litres of water ( US pints) to the boil from an initial temperature of °C ( °F)
- Power standard lightbulbs for one hour (60 W incandescent)
- Power LED lightbulbs for one hour
- Dry your hair for hours (with a Watt hair dryer)
- Lift a weight of kg ( lb) metres ( feet)
As food energy**, kWh could:
- Power an adult man for hours
- Power an adult woman for hours
kWh is the electricity*** used by an average home in:
- The UK hours
- The European Union every hours
- United States every hours
- Africa every hours
- China every hours
- India every hours
* Based on fuel economy of an average UK car in 2012: 5.8 litres/100km
** Based on a recommended daily intake of 10,500 kJ (2,500 calories) for men and 8,400 kJ (2,000 calories) for women
*** UK: 2015 Energy Consumption in the UK (2016 update)
Non-UK: 2011 - Average electricity consumption per electrified household (Source: Enerdata via World Energy Council).
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