How to Calculate kW/kVA for Your Home or Business?

Understanding the difference between kW and kVA helps you make smarter decisions about your energy use and equipment needs. Here’s a quick guide to get you started and a formula you can use right now to estimate your requirements.

What is the Difference Between kW and kVA?

  1. kW (kilowatt): The actual usable power for your devices—this is what you pay for on your energy bill.
  2. kVA (kilovolt-ampere): The apparent or total power supplied, including both usable power and what’s lost due to inefficiencies in the system.
  3. Power Factor (PF): A number (between 0 and 1) that tells you how efficiently your appliances use electricity; in most homes and offices, it usually sits around 0.8.


The Formula: How to Calculate kW from kVA (and Vice Versa)
Sample Image


This means your equipment would actually use 8 kW of real power.


Step-by-Step Guide for Home or Business

  1. List All Appliances: Write down every device’s wattage (usually found on the label or manual).
  2. Add Up Total Wattage: Sum the wattage of all essential appliances.
  3. Convert to kVA:First, divide the total watts by 1,000 to get kW.
  4. Next, divide kW by the typical power factor (0.8 if not specified)
  5. Convert kVA to kW (if needed):kW=kVA×PowerFactor
  6. For Single-Phase Systems:
    7. Sample Image


Why This Matters

  1. Helps avoid overloading your wiring or generators.
  2. Saves money by choosing the right-size equipment.
  3. Ensures safe, uninterrupted power for every device.


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