Active Electrical Power Rating (Watts / kW)Electric Power / Nominal Wattage Rating
The rate at which an electrical appliance consumes active energy per unit of time, rated in Watts (W) or Kilowatts (1 kW = 1,000 W). Nameplate ratings reflect maximum full-load draw; continuous operational draw is governed by compressor cycling and thermal duty cycles.
Default: 1,000 W (1.0 kW)
Daily Operating Hours & Duty Cycle (hrs/day)Time Duration / Daily Run Schedule
Total active running duration of the electrical load per 24-hour cycle. Thermostatically controlled equipment (air conditioners, heat pumps, refrigerators) cycles on and off, operating at an effective duty cycle of 30% to 65% of elapsed clock time.
Default: 4.0 hours / day
Monthly Electric Consumption Volume (kWh/mo)Energy Consumption / Billing Volume
Cumulative electrical energy consumed across a utility billing cycle, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). One kWh equals one thousand watts consumed continuously for one hour. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) benchmarks median residential usage at 890 kWh/month.
Default: 890 kWh / month
Electricity Tariff Rate ($/kWh)Utility Tariff / Price per Kilowatt-Hour
Volumetric energy supply charge billed by the electric utility per kilowatt-hour. Residential rates in North America range from $0.10/kWh (hydro-heavy regions) to over $0.35/kWh (California, Northeast US), while European household tariffs average €0.25 to €0.38/kWh.
Default: $0.165 / kWh
Fixed Customer Service Charge ($/mo)Fixed Utility Charge / Monthly Meter Fee
Mandatory non-volumetric monthly standing charge billed by the utility for grid infrastructure connection, meter maintenance, and customer billing services, assessed regardless of whether any electricity is consumed.
Default: $12.00 / month
Tiered Rate Inverted Block Limits (Tier 1 & Tier 2 kWh)Energy Volume / Tariff Threshold Tier
Volumetric consumption thresholds where the marginal price per kWh escalates. Utilities establish a baseline Tier 1 allowance (typically 300-600 kWh/month) at subsidized rates, while excess consumption in Tier 2 and Tier 3 carries steep surcharges to incentivize conservation.
Default: Tier 1: 500 kWh, Tier 2: 1,000 kWh
Solar Photovoltaic Export Credit (NEM $/kWh)Renewable Credit / Distributed Generation Rate
Credit rate credited to grid-tied rooftop solar owners for surplus solar energy exported back to the utility distribution grid under Net Energy Metering (NEM 1.0/2.0 full retail rate vs NEM 3.0 avoided-cost wholesale export rate).
Default: $0.14 / kWh
