kW and kWh poster: power and energy

A kilowatt (kW) is power: how fast energy is being used at this moment. A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is energy: power multiplied by the hours it runs, and it is what the meter counts. Many electricity tariffs also charge for the highest kW drawn, so both numbers matter. This poster defines the two, works one example (a pump drawing 7.5 kW runs 16 hours for 120 kWh, or 360 kWh if left on through a 48-hour weekend) and converts horsepower to kW.

Download the poster

The PNG is free to download now. The print-ready vector PDFs open after a short form, once.

Download PNG (300 dpi)2550 x 3300 px, prints at 8.5 x 11 in · 316 KB · no form

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The words on the poster

kW and kWh

Power is how fast. Energy is how much. The meter counts energy.

kW: power How fast energy is used right now. A motor's rating.
kWh: energy kW × hours running. What the meter counts.

1. A pump draws 7.5 kW.
2. One 16-hour day: 7.5 × 16 = 120 kWh.
3. Left on for a 48-hour weekend: 7.5 × 48 = 360 kWh, for nothing.

1 hp = 0.746 kW. Many tariffs also charge for your highest kW, so watch both.

1 hp = 0.746 kW after NIST SP 811. Example pump, illustrative figures.

On the floor

How to use it

Putting the kW and kWh poster: power and energy poster to work

1
Hang it in the energy team's area, the maintenance office and wherever energy is reported.
2
Use the weekend line when you agree which machines must be switched off on Friday.
3
Ask maintenance for the kW of your biggest motors and work out their weekend kWh the same way.
4
Pair it with the weekend shutdown poster and the free energy use tracker.

Where the poster goes and how to teach with it, in the order to try them.

Which size to print

24 x 36 in or A2: a main wall or team board, read from a few metres away.
18 x 24 in or A3: a station or notice board. The A3 file also fits 11 x 17 in paper.
Letter or A4: a clipboard, binder or handout, on any office printer.

Every PDF is vector, so it stays sharp at full size. Nothing runs to the edge of the page, so no bleed is needed.

Sources and notes

The pump is a worked example with illustrative figures. A motor draws less than its rated kW at part load, so measure or estimate the real draw before you calculate savings.