With all the fuss over powerfactor correction (or lack of) with CFL lamps and with some cfls with poor powerfactor (like 0.4) the actual power usage can be double the stated Watt rating. I didn't really care as my powermeter measures Kilowatts , ie its not a VA meter but doing a little more reasearch I realise we are paying for the poor power factor. What a scam!
Take a look at your power meter; I think it measures apparent power thought its actually called KWH meter that is contradictory to one another KVAH meter is apparent power while KWH is real power, if you look upon the construction of the meter itself it acts like a simple induction motor running both is current and in voltage, the line current is usually the total current you use in your household, P=VA , this is actually the formula for apparent power in an AC circuits, because P=VA X power factor is the formula for real power in AC circuits and I don't see any provisions of power factor reading in the KWH meter that makes me conclude that indeed the meter used in our homes measures apparent power not real power. :) though it states KWH meter on the nameplate.