What does the electric meter on a house measure?

The electric meter on a house measures wattage, which is a key indicator of the electrical energy usage over time. Wattage is calculated as the product of voltage and current, and the electric meter tracks the total electrical power consumed by the household. This measurement is critical for billing purposes since utility companies charge customers based on their total energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh), which are derived from the wattage readings of the meter.

Understanding wattage is essential for household energy management as it directly impacts electricity costs and efficiency. Homeowners can use the wattage measurement to identify high-energy-consuming appliances and make informed decisions about their energy usage.