Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →At the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s 2025 average residential electricity price of 17.30¢ per kWh, running a PC continuously at a constant 20 watts costs about $30.31 a year in energy; at 40 watts, about $60.62; and at 80 watts, about $121.24. These are estimates, not measurements of a particular PC, and your own electricity rate may change the result substantially.
Electricity cost at 20, 40, and 80 watts
The estimates below assume the stated power draw continues 24 hours a day for 365 days. They use $0.173 per kWh, the EIA’s 2025 U.S. average residential electricity price; the amounts cover energy only, not fixed charges or other bill components. The EIA identifies the underlying 2025 price data as preliminary. EIA: Prices and factors affecting prices
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Assumed PC draw | Energy per day | Energy per average month | Energy per year | Cost per day | Cost per average month | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 W | 0.48 kWh | 14.6 kWh | 175.2 kWh | $0.083 (about 8¢) | $2.53 | $30.31 |
| 40 W | 0.96 kWh | 29.2 kWh | 350.4 kWh | $0.166 (about 17¢) | $5.05 | $60.62 |
| 80 W | 1.92 kWh | 58.4 kWh | 700.8 kWh | $0.332 (about 33¢) | $10.10 | $121.24 |
“Average month” means annual use divided by 12. The arithmetic is linear: double the assumed draw, and both energy use and energy cost double at the same rate.
How to calculate the cost using your electricity rate
Watts measure power at a point in time; kilowatt-hours (kWh) measure energy used over time. One kWh is one kilowatt used for one hour. EIA: Measuring electricity
#1 Best Overall
- Various Monitoring Parameters: The power meter plug can monitor the power (W), energy (kWh), volts, amps, hertz, power factor, cost, minimum and maximum power (W), cumulative days and time of your appliances. By switching 7 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The home energy monitor can also calculate and display how much power your appliance uses and how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Upgraded LCD Display: With large screen size 2.36 inch x 1.85 inch, clearer monitor backlit, our electrical usage monitor can display the data clearer and more visible no matter day or night. 180°full wide viewing angles is great for reading and recording the data in any angles. No need to stand on the front of the display and bend over to read the numbers
- Adjustable Backlight Time: Our upgraded watt meter has 5 options of backlight time. The default backlight time duration is 10 minutes(bL-0). If you want to change the backlight time, you can press and hold "UP" and "DOWN" button at the same time to enter backlight time setting, then press "UP" and "DOWN" to select the backlight time (bL-0 =10 minutes, bL-1=1 hour, bL-2=4 hours, bL-3=8 hours, bL-4=always on), finally press the "COST" to save the backlight time settings
- Overload protection: When the power of the appliance exceeds the overload power, the LCD will display “OVERLOAD” to warn the user. All the buttons will quit working and can only be workable when you lower or remove the load power. The default overload power is 3680W and is adjustable from 0 to 3680W. In general, you need to set the overload power to 1800W before using. Just press the "function" button for more than 3 seconds to enter the setting
- Data Memory Function: The wattage meter will record your power consumption data when you remove it from socket, or remove appliances from the electricity monitor. You can directly see the last data when you use it next time. This function can also automatically save the data when there is a sudden power failure
- Convert watts to kilowatts: divide the assumed draw by 1,000. For example, 40 W is 0.04 kW.
- Calculate energy: multiply kilowatts by hours of use. For 40 W running 24 hours: 0.04 × 24 = 0.96 kWh per day.
- Multiply by your applicable rate: at 25¢ per kWh, the 40 W scenario costs 0.96 × $0.25 = $0.24 per day. Over 365 days, it uses 350.4 kWh and costs $87.60 in energy.
For a full year of continuous operation, the three scenarios use 175.2, 350.4, and 700.8 kWh, respectively. Multiply each kWh figure by your own rate in dollars per kWh to estimate energy cost. At 25¢ per kWh, for example, annual costs are $43.80, $87.60, and $175.20.
Why your bill may differ from these estimates
The EIA’s 17.30¢ figure is a 2025 U.S. average residential retail price, not a guaranteed rate for an individual home. It is a weighted revenue-to-sales average and may not match the energy rate on your bill. Rates vary by location; the EIA reports 2025 state averages across all customer types ranging from 8.20¢ per kWh in North Dakota to 35.72¢ in Hawaii. Those state figures are not necessarily residential rates for a particular customer. EIA: Electric Power Annual with final 2024 data
Rank #2
- Multi-function power monitor: Our electric usage monitor can monitor the power (W), electricity(kWh), voltage(V), frequency(Hz), current(A), power factor(PF), unit price($/kWh), total cost($) of your appliances. By switching 8 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The “electricity” mode can calculate and display how much power your appliance uses. And the “total cost” mode will show how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Overload protection: When the loading power of the appliance is over the default overload threshold 1800W, the whole display with backlight and the word “OVERLOAD” will keep flashing to warn the users. Please turn off the appliance for safety concern
- Premium Material: The whole body of our energy meter is made of high-quality ABS material. It makes our home electricity usage monitor more long lasting, fireproof and anti-drop. The standard US socket and plug is suitable for all US standard appliances
- Backlight Display: With white backlight and black words, the LCD display of our home power monitor can display the data clearer and help you to read the data easier no matter day or night. The backlight will only lights up when the device is connected to AC power. If no button is pressed, the backlight turns off automatically after 10 minutes. You can also press the "UP" button to turn off the backlight manually, and press any button to turn on backlight again
- Easy to reset: No reset tool needed, our appliance power usage meter is easy to reset. You can press the “M” button for 5 seconds directly to reset the device. After reset, all cumulative data (electricity quantity, cost) will be cleared, and all settings will be restored to factory settings
Time-of-use pricing, taxes, fixed charges, and billing rules can also affect what you pay. The comparison table isolates energy use multiplied by a reference price; it is not a prediction of your total bill.
Recommended Free Tools
Do 20, 40, and 80 watts describe typical YouTube-loop PCs?
They are calculation scenarios, not measured or verified power draws for a particular computer. No PC model, display arrangement, playback quality, browser configuration, or outlet measurement is specified here, so the figures should not be treated as typical consumption figures.
Rank #3
- Intuitive Electric Usage Monitoring: Measure power (W), volts, amps, frequency, power factor, max/min power (W), cumulative time, and energy (kWh) with this watt meter; Automatically calculate costs based on set prices and track home energy usage for efficient electricity savings; This watt hour meter makes managing your energy consumption easy
- 90-250 V Wide Voltage Range: The amp draw meter measures 90-250 Vac, 0-16 AMP, and 0-3680 Watt, with overload indication adjustable from 680 to 3680 W; Adhering to Class 1.0 accuracy standard with 0.1 W, 0.1 V, 0.001 A, and 0.001 kWh resolution, this watt power meter ensures precise readings
- Clear LCD Display with Backlight: The energy monitor plug features a wide-angle, clear-digit LCD display with backlight for easy reading and operation in dark environments; This wattage meter plug in provides excellent visibility
- 90 Days Long-Term Data Hold Memory: Equipped with a built-in rechargeable battery backup, this appliance power usage meter stores data for up to 90 days during power outages or when unplugged; The reset button restores all data to zero, making it a reliable wattage meter for long-term use
- Space-Saving Design: The compact design of this measure power usage device leaves the lower wall outlet accessible when plugged into the upper outlet; Made of high-quality fire-resistant material, this watt meter plug in is both safe and efficient; Ideal for those looking for a power meter plug, watt meter, or outlet meter
Actual wall draw depends on the complete setup and its operating conditions. For a personal estimate, measure the whole setup at the outlet during representative playback. A plug-in electricity usage monitor can help; the EIA also explains that utility meters measure consumption and some advanced smart meters can track individual-device use. EIA: Measuring electricity
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Or let it run in the cloud
If the goal is to keep uploaded videos looping as a YouTube live stream, StreamNeo runs the stream from the cloud instead of keeping your PC and home connection on. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. It plays uploaded videos; it does not stream a camera feed.
Rank #4
- Choose from the Kill-a-Watt's four settings to monitor your electrical usage
- Monitor your electrical usage by day, week, month, or year
- Features easy-to-read screen
- Electricity usage monitor connects to appliances and assesses efficiency
- Large LCD display counts consumption by the kilowatt-hour
- Nothing at home has to stay on to keep the stream running.
- Videos stream as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot rather than separate quality tiers.
- StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card required (one free day per account).
The monthly option is $9.99 per month. Each slot includes one always-on stream, 10 GB storage per slot pooled across active slots, looping and playlists, and StreamNeo team support. UPI and cards are accepted in India; card checkout is available worldwide. See StreamNeo pricing for the available billing periods and details.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- ✓ Backlit LCD Display: The watt meter features an upgraded backlit LCD display with a 160° wide viewing angle, providing clear and distinct data readings from any angle, day or night. (Note: To conserve energy, the backlight will automatically turn off after 15 seconds of continuous use.)
- ✓ 9 Types of Data Display: This energy meter plug accurately monitors a wide range of electrical parameters, including power (W), apparent power (VA), energy consumption (kWh), usage time (hours), power frequency (Hz), power factor (PF), voltage (V), current (A), and electricity cost. The user-friendly interface allows you to easily read and navigate through 9 types of data with a single button.
- ✓ Save Money and Energy: By toggling through the 9 display modes, you can gain insights into various operational parameters of your devices. The home energy monitor also calculates and displays the electricity consumption and cost over time, helping you save on your electricity bills by monitoring and managing energy usage.
- ✓ Data Storage: The plug-in electricity meter stores all non-real-time data, ensuring no information is lost in the event of a sudden power outage. If data exceeds the screen’s maximum display range, the screen will flash as a reminder. Pressing and holding the reset button for 3 seconds will reset the cumulative data to zero.
- ✓ Safe to Use: Rated voltage 125VAC, 60Hz, 15A maximum 1875W resistor and tungsten wire, 1/2HP. Clean and tidy interface, very simple to use.
Start your free StreamNeo day.
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.
