Turning off the monitor does not turn off the computer. If the computer keeps playing or encoding a YouTube stream, it still uses electricity; the monitor may use less, depending on whether it is asleep, in standby, or switched off. To estimate the cost, measure the average wattage of the equipment you want to count, multiply by the hours it runs, divide by 1,000, then multiply by your electricity rate per kWh.
Calculate the electricity cost of leaving YouTube running
Use this formula for the computer and any other equipment you choose to include:
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Cost = average watts × hours ÷ 1,000 × price per kWh.
- Energy in kWh: average watts × hours ÷ 1,000.
- Cost: energy in kWh × your applicable electricity price per kWh.
For a continuous 30-day estimate, use 720 hours; for a full year, use 8,760 hours. If your billing period has a different number of hours, use that instead. On a time-of-use plan, use the rate that applies during the hours the equipment is running.
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For example, a setup averaging 60 W running for 720 hours uses 43.2 kWh. At an assumed rate of $0.20/kWh, that would cost $8.64. This is arithmetic for those stated assumptions, not a typical computer-use figure or a prediction for your bill.
Measure the setup with the monitor off
There is no universal wattage for an always-on YouTube stream. The power draw depends on the device, its activity, settings, and whether it is playing a stream or encoding one. YouTube itself does not determine how much electricity your local equipment uses.
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- Decide what you want to count: for example, the computer alone, or the computer plus display, speakers, and separately powered network equipment.
- Put the equipment in the state you want to estimate: stream running, monitor off, and other included devices configured as they will be during normal use.
- Use a plug-in electricity usage monitor if suitable for your setup, and follow its safety and operating instructions. Measure energy over a representative period rather than relying on a momentary watt reading if consumption fluctuates.
- If the meter reports kWh, multiply its reading for the measured period by your electricity rate. If it reports watts, average the reading over a representative period, then use the formula above.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s guidance on standby power notes that some equipment draws electricity even when it appears to be off. For fluctuating consumption, DOE references measuring over time and dividing energy by the measurement period to estimate average power. See DOE’s Measuring Standby Power guidance.
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What changes when the monitor is off?
A monitor that is blanked, asleep, in standby, or physically switched off is not necessarily using the same amount of power in each state. Turning off the display can reduce its energy use, but it does not stop the computer or other powered equipment from drawing electricity. Some displays may retain a small standby draw, depending on model and state.
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DOE’s Federal Energy Management Program advises: “If your networked computer(s) must remain on in the evening for file backup or other purposes, turn off the monitor.” That makes the distinction clear: the computer can remain on while the display is off. DOE also recommends enabling computer power-management features and says doing so can reduce computer energy use by up to 27% annually. That is DOE’s general guidance-page claim, not a forecast for a particular streaming computer; results depend on how the machine is used and configured. See DOE’s computer guidance.
DOE’s display comparison reports estimated annual use of 29 kWh for a best-available 27-inch 1080p LCD monitor, 52 kWh for an ENERGY STAR-certified example, and 72 kWh for a less-efficient example, using product and market data reported through December 2024. These are comparison estimates under the page’s assumptions, not measurements of an arbitrary monitor while its screen is off. The same comparison uses 11¢/kWh, DOE’s July 2024 average electricity price at U.S. federal facilities—not a universal household rate. See DOE’s display and monitor comparison.
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Watching a stream is different from running a live encoder
If you mean watching a YouTube stream on a computer, measure that playback configuration. If you mean operating a live encoder, measure the computer while it is encoding and streaming. Those are different workloads, and neither has one standard wattage that can be applied to every device.
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 errorsYouTube supports live streaming through methods including a webcam or encoder on a computer, as well as mobile and console pathways; the applicable setup steps depend on the method. YouTube’s live-stream guidance also says to monitor audio and video quality and to stop the encoder after the stream has stopped on YouTube. Those operational instructions do not provide a power-use estimate. See YouTube’s live-streaming overview and YouTube’s live-streaming tips.
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Keep an operator’s YouTube stream running without leaving a computer on
If you operate a 24/7 YouTube channel, one way to avoid keeping a home computer running is to use a cloud service that plays uploaded videos. StreamNeo is a YouTube-only service: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. It loops the uploaded video from the cloud, so your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. It does not stream from a camera.
StreamNeo includes one always-on stream per slot, 24/7 looping and playlists, automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream, support, and 10 GB of storage per slot pooled across active slots. Uploaded video streams as made, up to 4K 60fps, with no re-encode and no quality tiers; all plans have the same product and differ only in duration. The first day is free with no card, once per account. You can choose a day, week, month, six months, or year, and cancel any time. UPI and cards are supported in India; card checkout is available worldwide. For five or more slots, contact support. Details are at StreamNeo.
For an operator, the trade-off is moving the always-on playback from local equipment to the cloud rather than reducing the power draw of a computer that remains on. For your own viewer-side setup, calculate electricity cost by measuring the equipment you use and applying your local rate.
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Common estimate errors
- Counting only the monitor: include the computer and any other equipment whose electricity cost you want to know.
- Assuming “off” means zero draw: standby consumption varies by device and state; measure if it matters to your estimate.
- Using a peak or momentary watt figure: if load fluctuates, measure over a representative period and calculate an average.
- Applying a national or federal average as your own tariff: use the applicable rate on your electricity bill; published averages are only context.
- Confusing watching with encoding: measure the actual task and configuration you intend to run.
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