How Much Energy Does a Computer Use

These days, computers are indispensable—we use them for nearly everything. But have you ever found yourself wondering, “How much energy per year does my computer use?” and more importantly, “Will my computer raise my electric bills?” In this guide, we’ll explore the answers to these questions and help you understand the ins and outs of computer energy use.

How much energy a computer uses depends on the type of computer, its configuration, and your own usage habits. Here is an estimate:

Laptops: Typically use between 30 and 70 watts per hour.

Desktops and Gaming PCs: Typically use between 200 and 500 watts per hour.

If you’re looking to get more specific about computer energy usage, a computer wattage calculator can be a very helpful tool. You’ll typically need to input your computer model and usage to calculate hourly wattage. You can then multiply that figure by the number of hours you use it for an estimate of the energy consumption.

Estimating Annual Computer Energy Use

If you opt to calculate computer energy usage on your own rather than using an online calculator, here are the steps you can follow:

1. Calculate Computer Wattage: You can determine the wattage rating of your device by checking the manufacturer’s specifications.
2. Multiply by Usage Hours: For example, if you use a 200-watt device for 8 hours a day, you would multiply 200 x 8.
3. Calculate Yearly Usage: Take the product of the equation above and multiply it by 365. For example, 200 watts x 8 hours x 365 days = approximately 584,000 Watt-hours or 584 kWh annually.

Let's break this down further to explore the energy use of devices with different wattages and their respective costs.

Monthly and Annual Electricity Cost of a Computer

To calculate cost, let's assume the average U.S. electricity rate of around $0.16 per kWh. Building off of the previous example, with a computer that uses 200 watts of energy and is used for 8 hours a day, the monthly cost can be calculated as follows.

584 kWh per year divided by 12 months = about 48 kWh per month.

At $0.16 per kWh, the monthly cost would be around $7.68.

The same cost calculation formula can be applied to any wattage device.

Will Computers Raise Electric Bills?

Overall, computers are yet another appliance, so they will contribute to your electricity costs, especially if they are used often or always left on and plugged in. If there is a significant increase in your computer use, you can expect to see this reflected in your energy costs. However, remember that not all computers are created equal. Newer laptop and desktop computers are more energy-efficient than their older counterparts and likely will not cause as significant of a spike in electricity costs. Conversely, special gaming PCs consume more energy, causing them to have a greater impact on electricity costs.

If you’re concerned about your computer’s impact on your electricity bill and want to minimize it, there are several options that you can consider.

Energy-saving settings: Turn on power-saving modes on laptop and desktop computers.

Power Down Devices: Computers still use energy when in sleep mode, so try to turn them off completely when they are not in use.

Adjust Brightness and Disconnect Peripherals: Reducing screen brightness and unplugging external devices can reduce power consumption.

How Working from Home Impacts Energy Use

Remote and hybrid jobs have become more common since 2020. This trend has shifted daytime energy use from office spaces to the home. With remote work, household energy consumption is likely to increase for a number of reasons. 

Increased Computer Use: Daily use of computers for work raises overall energy consumption.

Extra Lighting and HVAC Needs: Homes often use additional lighting and climate control throughout the day, which increases energy needs beyond just computer use.

Multiple Devices Running Simultaneously: Phones, monitors, printers, and routers all contribute to daily energy costs.

While working from home can raise your energy usage, you can offset some of these costs by:

Turning Off Devices Not in Use: Simple steps like turning off unnecessary devices during breaks can help save energy.

Setting Up in Natural Light: Positioning your workspace near a window can reduce the need for artificial lighting.

Switching to Energy-Efficient Equipment: Laptops generally consume less energy than desktops, so using one for work can cut down on energy use.

Signing up for community solar: You can save between 10% and 15% on your annual electricity costs with this no-upfront-cost clean energy option!

Check your eligibility for Nexamp Community Solar here:

Understanding how much energy your computer uses is essential for managing your electricity bill, especially with the rise of remote work. By using tools like wattage calculators, optimizing settings, and implementing energy-saving strategies, you can keep your computer’s impact on your monthly electric costs in check.