In the age of work-from-home, our personal computer usage, whether a laptop or desktop, has probably skyrocketed. And while these devices may be small in comparison to a dishwasher, air conditioner, or refrigerator, they're still quite powerful and require a decent amount of electricity to power.
How much electricity does it take to run your computer? Check out our computer energy cost calculator below to get an estimate on how much it costs you to run your different devices.
Kilowatts measure the rate at which electricity moves through an appliance. More kilowatts mean more electricity, and bigger computers will typically use more watts.
A computer's power usage will depend on the type of computer. Laptops use between 15 and 60 typically while desktop computers range between 60 and 250 watts. Google searching for your computer's wattage is the easiest way to get the most accurate number. Once you have this number, divide by 1000 to get kilowatts and multiply by hours to get kilo-watt hours.
According to US Energy Information Administration, the average cost of electricity in the U.S. is 13 cents/kWh. However, this number can vary depending on your electricity supplier. Today, people in some states have the power to shop for their electricity and find cheaper rates.
Type | Avg Watts | Cost / hr* | Avg cost / month* |
---|---|---|---|
Macbook (13 inches) | 61 W | 0.8¢ | $1.92 |
Macbook (15 inches) | 87 W | 1.13¢ | $2.712 |
Other Laptops (15.6 inches) | 60 W | 0.78¢ | $1.87 |
Other Laptops (17 inches) | 90 W | 1.17¢ | $2.8 |
Gaming Laptops | 180 W | 2.34¢ | $5.6 |
Type | Avg Watts | Cost / hr* | Avg cost / month* |
---|---|---|---|
Apple Desktop Computer (iMac) | 100 W | 1.3¢ | $3.12 |
LCD Monitor (17 inches) | 80 W | 1.04¢ | $2.5 |
CRT Monitor (17 inches) | 35 W | 0.455¢ | $1.09 |
Other Desktop computers | 60 W | 0.78¢ | $1.87 |
1.
Disconnect your external devices
2.
Plug your computer into a smart strip
3.
Set your computer to energy-saving mode
4.
Turn off your computer
5.
Only charge your laptop when you need to
6.
Choose Perch Energy