Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsTo estimate the electricity cost of running a PC for 24/7 YouTube streaming, multiply its average power draw in watts by the hours it runs, divide by 1,000 to get kilowatt-hours (kWh), then multiply by your electricity rate per kWh. At an illustrative rate of $0.15/kWh, a PC averaging 100 W uses 876 kWh and costs $131.40 in energy over 365 days. That is a calculation, not a measured wattage for a typical PC; measure your own setup for a reliable estimate.
Calculate the electricity cost
For a steady average load:
kWh = watts × hours ÷ 1,000
Then calculate the energy charge:
Energy cost = kWh × your price per kWh
Watts describe the rate at which a device uses power; 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.
A continuously running device operates for 8,760 hours in a 365-day year. For a month, use the hours in your actual billing period; 730 hours is only an approximation.
Annual examples at an assumed $0.15/kWh
The rate below is an illustrative assumption, not a national average or current utility tariff. The figures are arithmetic scenarios, not measurements of specific PCs.
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| Average draw | Energy over 365 days | Example energy cost |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Example: a 100 W PC for one approximate month
At a constant 100 W over 730 hours, consumption is 73 kWh. At the same assumed $0.15/kWh rate, the energy charge is $10.95. The actual cost changes with the billing-period length and your tariff.
Use the PC’s real average wattage, not its power-supply rating
For this estimate, wattage means the average draw at the wall while the computer is doing the job. A power supply’s rated capacity is not the PC’s continuous consumption. U.S. Department of Energy guidance notes that nameplate ratings are generally maximum design limits and may be two to four times actual use; it recommends measuring actual consumption where possible (DOE guidance).
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- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
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There is no universal wattage for a computer playing or maintaining a YouTube stream. A laptop, a small office PC, and an idling gaming computer can draw very different amounts. Resolution, hardware video decoding, browser, display brightness, and background tasks may also affect the result. Include a monitor and other equipment only if you want the estimate to cover them.
Measure the complete setup over time
- Connect the computer and any equipment you intend to count—such as a monitor—to a compatible plug-in electricity usage monitor.
- Run the setup as you normally would during the streaming task. Let the reading accumulate for several hours or days, rather than relying on a momentary wattage display.
- Use the monitor’s sustained energy reading, or divide the energy measured in kWh by the measurement duration in hours and multiply by 1,000 to estimate average watts.
- Put that average wattage into the annual or billing-period formula above, then apply your rate per kWh.
Computer draw fluctuates, so a sustained reading gives a more useful average. DOE standby-power guidance likewise recommends measuring fluctuating consumption over time and dividing by the measurement period to determine average power (DOE measurement guidance). A plug-in meter helps replace assumptions with readings from your own equipment; it does not itself guarantee lower consumption.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Rank #3
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Apply the rate and tariff from your bill
Use the applicable price per kWh on your own electricity bill. Rates can vary by time of use and season, and bills may include fixed or demand charges in addition to energy charges. The simple calculation estimates the added energy charge; it does not allocate fixed fees or fully model tariffs with demand charges. See the U.S. Department of Energy’s explanation of utility rate options.
As a quick sensitivity check, for a constant 100 W draw over a full 365-day year, each $0.01/kWh change alters the energy cost by $8.76. The DOE Federal Energy Management Program used 11¢/kWh in federal-facility computer-cost examples in July 2024; that is a federal-facility assumption, not a universal household rate (DOE computer purchasing guidance).
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Consider a lower-energy device if the job is only video playback
If the goal is simply to play video, compare the PC with the device that would otherwise do the job. ENERGY STAR recommends a tablet for small-screen streaming and identifies a smart TV as an efficient large-screen option. It also reports that a computer uses 11 times the energy of a digital media player in its comparison; treat that as ENERGY STAR’s comparative figure, not a guarantee for every model or a direct test of a PC-plus-monitor setup (ENERGY STAR digital media player guidance).
Power-management features can reduce consumption when a computer is idle, asleep, or off. ENERGY STAR computer criteria cover those operating modes and include power-management requirements; the page lists an effective date of October 2025 (ENERGY STAR computer criteria). A PC actively maintaining a stream may not be able to enter sleep, so sleep settings should not be counted as savings during the active task.
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- Spacious Design: Measuring 21.1" wide and 12" deep, our lap desk comfortably fits most laptops up to 15.6". Extra room for accessories ensures convenience.
- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy laptop support with the integrated device ledge.
- 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
If your purpose is to keep a prerecorded video live on YouTube around the clock, StreamNeo runs the looping stream in the cloud instead of requiring your home PC and connection to stay on. The steps are: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, then go live. It automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. StreamNeo streams to YouTube only.
- Nothing has to stay on at home.
- Any quality up to 4K 60fps streams as uploaded, at one flat price per slot, with no re-encode or quality tiers.
- Automatic recovery is included if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card; it is one free day per account.
- Monthly: $9.99 per month.
See StreamNeo or its pricing page, then start your free first day.
Quick Recap
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