Energy Usage FAQ

OPPD’s average annual electric cost for residential customers is $.1125 for every kWh (kilowatt-hour) of electricity used.

That depends on many variables, including:

• Rates. Depending on where you live, each utility has different rates.
• Energy efficiency of your home and appliances.
• Behaviors/lifestyle. Includes the number of people in your home, the number of electronics and appliances, and how much you use those devices.
• Time of year. Generally, summer rates are higher than winter rates.

By kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is 1,000 watts of electricity used for one hour. For example, ten 100-watt light bulbs running for one-hour would equal one kilowatt-hour. Your electric bill reflects the total kWh used during your billing period.

A watt is the rate of electric use by an appliance at the instant it is measured. Lights, appliances and electronics have various watt ratings. A 100-watt light bulb uses twice as much energy as a 50-watt light bulb in that same instant.

One kilowatt equals 1,000 watts.

Kilowatt-hours represent the amount of electric usage over a one-hour period. If you use 1,000 watts of electricity for one hour, that equals one kilowatt-hour of usage.

1. Multiply the wattage of an electric device by the number of hours you use it.
2. Divide that number by 1,000. That will convert the number from watt-hours to kilowatt-hours.
3. Multiply the number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) by the cost per kWh to determine the cost of using that device. 

Formula:Watts x hours used ÷ 1,000 x cost per kWh = cost of electricity used

Example: Assume your home uses a 2,000-watt window air conditioner, which runs for eight hours, and you pay $.1125 per kWh.

• 2,000 x 8 ÷ 1,000 x $.1125 = $1.80
• The cost to run the window AC for eight hours is $1.80

Lights and appliances use electricity at different rates, and are rated by their wattage. Generally, the older and/or the less efficient the appliance, the more watts and thus kilowatt-hours (kWh) it will use. See the examples below.

Use the OPPD appliance calculator to estimate energy use for a number of different appliances and lights.

Yes, just go to MyAccount

• Log in with your ID and Password
• If a new user, click on New to MyAccount? to register
• Once logged in, click and view your Account Information
• You can then view your historical energy billing by individual month