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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →At the U.S. 2025 residential electricity average of 17.30¢ per kWh, a mini PC averaging 10 watts at the wall would cost about $1.24 to run continuously for 30 days; at 20 watts, about $2.49. Those are illustrative calculations, not measurements of a NUC streaming YouTube. Your cost depends on the computer’s average power draw, how long it runs, and your local electricity rate.
Calculate the monthly electricity cost
Use this formula:
Monthly cost = average watts × powered hours per day × days ÷ 1,000 × electricity price per kWh.
For a continuously powered PC over 30 days, that is average watts × 720 hours ÷ 1,000 × your price per kWh. The result estimates electricity for the equipment included in the wattage measurement; it does not include internet service, the purchase price of the computer, or other devices unless you measure them as part of the setup.
Illustrative U.S. examples
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports a 2025 annual average residential electricity price of 17.30¢/kWh, based on February 2026 preliminary data. At that rate, each average watt costs about 12.4¢ per 30-day month when the PC stays on continuously.
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| Average draw at the wall | Use over 30 days, powered continuously | Cost at 17.30¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 10 W | 7.2 kWh | About $1.24 |
| 20 W | 14.4 kWh | About $2.49 |
These figures are arithmetic using the EIA rate, not NUC measurements or observed streaming costs. The EIA’s 2025 average retail prices across all customer types ranged from 8.20¢/kWh in North Dakota to 35.72¢/kWh in Hawaii; that is not a residential-only state range. Rates differ by location and household plan, so use the applicable price from your own bill where possible. See the EIA’s Table 5.3 and its electricity prices explainer.
Why a NUC’s published idle or certification figures do not answer the streaming question
ENERGY STAR’s certification record for the Intel NUC12WSH lists a 27.6 kWh model TEC, 2.6 W long idle, 5.2 W short idle, 2.6 W sleep, and 1.1 W off. These are certification-record values for that model, not its average draw while broadcasting a YouTube live stream. The TEC is a standardized annual measure and should not be converted into a claimed monthly streaming cost. The ENERGY STAR product record identifies the computer as a desktop and lists the United States among its markets.
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Actual power use depends on the configuration and workload, including streaming software, resolution, encoding method, background tasks, and connected equipment. Intel notes that NUC BIOS power-management options vary by model; its guidance describes Balanced, Low-Power, and Max-Performance modes. Those settings can affect usage, but neither a power adapter’s maximum rating, CPU thermal design power, nor idle draw establishes the average wall draw for your stream. See Intel’s NUC power-management guidance.
Measure your own setup for a useful estimate
- Connect the mini PC to a plug-in power meter and measure at the wall. Include a display or other equipment only if you want its electricity included in the result.
- Run a representative YouTube streaming session using the software, resolution, encoding settings, and peripherals you normally use. Allow the system to reach its usual operating state, then record average watts rather than relying on a brief peak or idle reading.
- Record how many hours per day the measured setup stays powered. If usage varies, use the total monthly powered hours instead.
- Find your applicable electricity price per kWh on your bill, then enter the measurements in the formula above. If your bill uses different rates by time or tier, use the rate that applies to the hours and consumption being estimated.
This gives an estimate for the measured workload and equipment boundary. Watching YouTube is a different workload from broadcasting a live stream, so a viewing measurement should not be treated as a streaming figure.
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What the electricity estimate leaves out
The calculation is for electricity only. It does not price the mini PC itself, equipment replacement, internet service, or any electricity used by equipment outside the meter’s measurement boundary. If you are comparing two setups, compare average measured wall watts under the same streaming workload, the same monthly powered hours, the same local marginal electricity rate, and the same included devices.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is a YouTube channel that loops uploaded videos around the clock, StreamNeo is a different option from leaving a mini PC running: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. The cloud handles the loop, so no computer or home connection has to stay on. It supports uploaded video as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly service is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo streams to YouTube and plays uploaded videos; it is not a camera-streaming service. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start the free first day.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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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.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
