1. What is Cost per Watt?

Cost per watt is a metric used to understand the electricity cost at the watt level, derived from the more commonly used cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh). It's particularly useful for calculating energy costs of small devices or understanding minute-by-minute electricity expenses.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• Cost/W — Cost per watt in your local currency
• Cost/kWh — Cost per kilowatt-hour in your local currency
• 1000 — Conversion factor (1000 watts = 1 kilowatt)

Explanation: Since 1 kilowatt equals 1000 watts, we divide the cost per kWh by 1000 to get the cost per watt-hour.

3. Importance of Cost per Watt Calculation

Details: Calculating cost per watt helps in:

• Estimating energy costs for low-power devices
• Comparing electricity costs across different regions
• Understanding minute energy consumption costs
• Making precise energy efficiency calculations

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Enter your electricity cost per kilowatt-hour (found on your utility bill)
• Ensure the value is positive and in your local currency
• The result will show the cost for one watt-hour of electricity

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why calculate cost per watt when we usually use kWh?
A: While kWh is standard for billing, cost per watt helps understand small-scale energy use, especially for low-power devices or short durations.

Q2: How can I use cost per watt in practical terms?
A: Multiply cost per watt by a device's wattage and hours of use to estimate its exact operating cost.

Q3: Does this account for time-of-use pricing?
A: No, use the specific kWh rate for your time period to get accurate cost per watt for that time.

Q4: How does this relate to watt-hours?
A: The result shows cost per watt-hour. For cost per watt (regardless of time), divide again by hours of use.

Q5: Can I use this for solar panel calculations?
A: Yes, it can help compare solar generation costs to grid electricity costs at small scales.