Electricity comes from many sources

"How much electricity is used in one day in the United States of America?" asked Yadira Garcia, 10, a fifth-grader at West Oak Middle School in Mundelein.

Electricity powers so many things around us. You could make a never-ending game by naming things powered by electricity. Here are just a few ­- lights, computers, video game systems, kitchen appliances, machines, skyscrapers, street lights and trains.

Electricity has a standard measurement. Just like feet are measured in inches, electricity is measured in watts.

A watt is a unit of power. Electric usage is measured in units of 1,000. That's 1,000 hours worth of electricity, called one kilowatt hour and abbreviated as 1 kWh.

More than 140.4 million homes, hotels, schools, factories and other types of customers purchase electricity in the U.S. In the past seven months of the year, electric usage for all those customers was 2,191,786 million kWh. An average daily use would run about 10,437 million kWh.

Electric needs rise with the temperature. People in hotter climates tend to use more electricity to power air conditioning. In Texas summer temperatures soar to the 100s, making it the top selling state for electricity sales. Alaska has cool temperatures and has the lowest electricity sales.

The source used to power the electrical turbines drives the price to consumers. In Hawaii oil is used, making it the highest prices electricity at 34.99 cents per kWh. Iowa customers benefit from hydroelectric power. That's when moving water drives the electrical turbines. Residential customers pay 7.49 cents per kWh. The U.S. average is 12.09 cents per kWh, and Illinois customer pay slightly less since much of our electricity is produced from nuclear power.

One place to find all kinds of statistics about energy is The U.S. Energy Information Administration. The Web site, eia.doe.gov, offers statistics on many forms of energy including electricity. Find out how electricity is generated and delivered to customers by clinking on the site's Energy Kid's Page.