ENERGY INTELLIGENCE LIBRARY
THD vs. kWh: what each metric proves
A power-quality improvement can be meaningful without being the same thing as an energy-savings measurement.
THD describes distortion. kWh describes energy.
Total harmonic distortion is a ratio describing harmonic content relative to the fundamental waveform. It is useful for understanding whether the targeted electrical condition changed.
kWh is integrated real energy over time. If the customer question is whether electricity use fell, kWh at a valid measurement boundary under comparable conditions is the evidence that matters most.
| Metric | Good for | Not sufficient by itself for |
|---|---|---|
| THD / individual harmonics | Power-quality change, mechanism, diagnostics | Claiming a specific kWh reduction |
| Power factor / current / kVA | Loading, apparent/reactive power, operational interpretation | Claiming total energy savings |
| kW / kWh | Real power and real energy change | Explaining mechanism without supporting electrical context |
Orion’s credibility comes from keeping the claims separate: measure energy as energy, and use power-quality data to explain the electrical story.
A PRACTICAL NEXT STEP
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