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To estimate the electricity cost of running a PC continuously for YouTube, multiply its average power draw in watts by the number of hours, divide by 1,000 to get kilowatt-hours (kWh), then multiply by your electricity price per kWh. At an illustrative—not universal—rate of $0.15/kWh, a PC drawing an average of 100 W costs about $131.40 in energy over 365 days.
Calculate electricity use and cost
For a steady average load, use:
Energy (kWh) = average watts × hours ÷ 1,000
Then calculate the energy charge:
Energy cost = kWh × your price per kWh
Watts measure the rate of power use; kWh measure energy accumulated over time. The U.S. Department of Energy explains the conversion from watt-hours to kilowatt-hours in its energy calculation guidance.
Illustrative annual costs at $0.15/kWh
The following are arithmetic examples for a constant average draw over 365 days (8,760 hours). The assumed rate is for illustration only; it is not a national average or a current tariff.
| Average draw | Energy in 365 days | Energy cost at $0.15/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 30 W | 262.8 kWh | $39.42 |
| 50 W | 438 kWh | $65.70 |
| 100 W | 876 kWh | $131.40 |
| 200 W | 1,752 kWh | $262.80 |
| 500 W | 4,380 kWh | $657.00 |
For a 100 W average draw over an approximate 730-hour month, the calculation is 73 kWh, or $10.95 at the same assumed rate. A real billing month has a different number of hours, so use the billing period’s actual duration for a closer estimate. At 100 W over a full year, each $0.01/kWh change in the energy rate changes the estimate by $8.76.
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What wattage should you use?
Use the average wall draw of the equipment while it is doing the job you want to estimate. A power supply’s rated capacity is its design limit, not a measurement of the PC’s continuous consumption. DOE guidance notes that nameplate ratings are generally maximum design limits and can be two to four times actual consumption; it recommends measuring actual use when possible (DOE guidance on measuring equipment loads).
There is no established universal wattage for a PC streaming YouTube 24/7. A gaming PC, a small office computer, and a laptop can draw very different amounts. The actual load can also change with video resolution, hardware decoding, browser choice, display brightness, and background tasks. Include a monitor, speakers, router, or other equipment only if you want the estimate to cover those devices too.
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Measure your own setup
- Connect the computer and any other equipment you want included to a compatible plug-in electricity usage monitor. If measuring the whole setup, measure the complete set of devices rather than the computer alone.
- Run the usual YouTube playback setup, including the resolution and software you expect to use.
- Record energy use over several hours or days, then divide the measured kWh by the elapsed hours to estimate average watts: average watts = kWh × 1,000 ÷ hours.
- Use that average draw in the cost formula, along with the number of hours and the applicable rate from your electricity bill.
Computer power can fluctuate, so a sustained reading is more informative than a momentary measurement. DOE standby-power guidance likewise recommends measuring fluctuating consumption over time and dividing by the measurement period to find average power (DOE guidance on measuring fluctuating power). A plug-in meter helps replace assumptions with readings from your own equipment; its suitability depends on the load and the meter’s ability to measure it.
Use the right electricity rate
Use the energy rate that applies to your account, not a generic price found online. Rates can vary by season or time of use, and a bill can also include fixed charges or demand charges. This calculation estimates the added energy charge from consumption; it does not allocate fixed fees or fully model tariffs with demand charges. Check the bill or tariff details for the rate and time period relevant to your use. DOE describes these rate differences in its utility-rate guidance.
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For context, DOE’s Federal Energy Management Program used 11¢/kWh in federal-facility computer cost examples published in July 2024. That is a federal-facility example rate, not a universal household price (DOE computer purchasing guidance).
Compare playback devices and power settings
If the goal is simply to watch a video, compare the PC with the device that would otherwise play it. ENERGY STAR recommends a tablet for small-screen streaming and identifies a smart TV as an efficient big-screen option. It also reports that a computer uses 11 times the energy of a digital media player in its comparison. Treat that figure as ENERGY STAR’s comparison, not a guarantee for every model or a direct measurement of a PC-plus-monitor setup (ENERGY STAR digital media player guidance).
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Power management can reduce consumption when the computer is idle or asleep, but continuous playback may keep it active and prevent sleep. ENERGY STAR’s computer criteria address Off, Sleep, and Idle modes and power-management features; its page lists a specification effective date of October 2025 (ENERGY STAR computer criteria). Do not count sleep-mode savings while the PC is actively playing the stream.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Keep a YouTube channel live without leaving a PC on
If you are playing an uploaded recording or playlist as a continuous YouTube live stream, rather than simply watching YouTube, a cloud service is another option to compare with running your own computer. StreamNeo is #1 among the services and methods discussed here for this use: it keeps an uploaded video or playlist streaming to YouTube from the cloud, at any quality up to 4K 60fps for one flat price per slot, with the first day free.
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- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
- Durable Surface: Work with confidence on our lap desk's solid surface, featuring a blush pink color, ensuring optimal air circulation to prevent your laptop from overheating.
- On-the-Go Convenience: With an integrated handle and lightweight design (2.14 lbs), our lap desk is portable for travel or moving around the house, offering flexibility in any space.
Or let it run in the cloud
- Upload a recording or build a playlist.
- Add your YouTube stream key once.
- Go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded content from the cloud.
Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. StreamNeo streams uploaded videos to YouTube, not a live camera feed. Each slot includes 10 GB of storage, pooled across active slots, 24/7 looping and playlists, automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream, and support from the StreamNeo team. The uploaded file streams as made, up to 4K 60fps, without re-encoding or quality tiers.
Plans have the same features; only the duration changes: Daily $0.99 per day · Weekly $2.99 per week · Monthly $9.99 per month · 6 months $49.99 for 6 months · Yearly $89.99 a year. The first day is free with no card, once per account. Billing can be cancelled any time; UPI and cards are available in India, and card checkout is available worldwide. For five or more slots, contact support.
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