How long does it take to use one unit of electricity?

By becoming energy-aware at home, you can save money and help combat climate change. The first step to saving energy is knowing how much you use in the first place.

How we measure electricity

The basic unit of electricity is the Kilowatt hour (kWh). In simple terms, 1 kWh is the amount of energy used by a 1kW (1000 watt) electric heater for 1 hour. Another example is ten 100-watt light bulbs used for 1 hour.

Identifying which appliances use the most electricity in your home means that you can control the amount you spend on electricity. As a guide, the diagram below shows how long you can use various appliances for the price of one unit of electricity.

These figures give an average usage guide. Actual usage will depend on the age and efficiency of appliances.

Have a look at our latest price plans to find out the price per unit of electricity.