2007-01-18 02:29:45 · 4 answers · asked by d_hemsher 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
i want to buy a generator to power the whole house.
2007-01-18 13:43:14 · update #1
I think you mean kilowatts, not kilovolts. Kilowatts is the measure of power consumed in your home over a period of time. If you have an appliance that uses 2 kilowatts and you operate it for two hours, you have used 4 kilowatt hours of electricity.That is how the electric company charges, in kilowatt hours used.
To figure how much your whole house uses, you can calculate the number of amps a device uses (listed on the device) multiplied times the voltage required to operate it (110V or 220V) multiplied times the number of hours you operate it. For lighting, the bulbs have a wattage rating on each bulb. Multiply the wattage times the hours the light is operated to find the watt hours used.
Add all of the appliances and lighting watts together and that is the total. One kilowatt = 1000 watts.
Hope this answers your question.
2007-01-18 03:07:16 · answer #1 · answered by B Scott 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you want to know how many kilowatt hours a household uses per day. That is the basis on which the utility charges you.
I live alone, and average about 20 kilowatt hours a day
2007-01-18 10:52:46 · answer #2 · answered by Ed 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Less than one. The mains into a house are 220V in North America.
The question you really want to know is how many AMPERES are required. Typically in North America it's about 100-150A for the service panel.
2007-01-18 10:36:41 · answer #3 · answered by poorcocoboiboi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Houses built today usually have a minimum of 240V/200A (48KVA) service, by code. Becoming more common is 240V/400A (96KVA) service.
2007-01-18 12:29:53 · answer #4 · answered by cranknbank9 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋