How is electrical energy typically measured?

Electrical energy is typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This unit represents the amount of energy consumed when a device with a power rating of one kilowatt operates for one hour. It is a standard metric used by utility companies for billing customers, as it gives a clear representation of energy usage over time.

Kilowatt-hours combine power (in kilowatts) and time (in hours), making it a practical measure of energy consumption for both residential and commercial applications. For instance, if a 1,000-watt appliance runs for one hour, it consumes one kilowatt-hour of energy.

Using different units like volts per hour, coulombs, or amperes would not effectively convey the amount of electrical energy consumed. Volts represent electrical potential, coulombs measure electric charge, and amperes indicate current flow. While these are essential electrical concepts, they do not provide a direct measurement of energy over time, which is why kilowatt-hours is the correct choice.