Before we discuss kilowatts, let’s take a second to talk about watts (W). Watts are the basic unit of power used to measure electric, thermal, and mechanical power. One watt is equal to one joule, as well as one volt-ampere. All of these terms measure electrical power.
Now, let’s get into a more detailed description of what a kilowatt (kW) is. Most simply, a kilowatt is another term used in the measure of power. Most frequently, we use kilowatts to measure residential and commercial power.
Keep in mind that the prefix “kilo” means one thousand. It may be easier for you to remember that one kilowatt equals 1,000 watts of electrical power when thinking of the prefix’s meaning. For example, a microwave with a 1,000-watt label requires 1,000 watts worth of power (or 1 kW) to work.
