Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsTo price the electricity for a 24/7 YouTube stream, measure the computer’s power at the wall while it runs the actual streaming workload. Use a suitably rated plug-in electricity meter that reports true power in watts and tracks energy in kilowatt-hours (kWh), or can average readings over time. A power-supply rating or a momentary watt reading cannot tell you what your setup will use continuously.
Decide what you want the measurement to include
A meter measures only the devices downstream of it. Choose whether you are estimating the PC alone or the whole streaming setup, and keep that boundary consistent.
- PC-only estimate: Measure the computer and exclude the monitor, router, capture hardware, audio gear and lighting.
- Whole-setup estimate: Include the additional equipment in the measurement if your meter and electrical setup are rated for the combined load. Otherwise, measure those devices separately and add their energy use.
Record what was included. A result for a PC alone is not comparable to one that includes a monitor and other equipment.
Measure the PC under its real streaming workload
- Choose a suitable meter. Look for a plug-in electricity usage meter that reports true or real power in watts (W) and accumulated energy in kWh, or provides average power over an interval. Check its outlet and voltage compatibility, measurement resolution, maximum current or wattage, and manufacturer instructions before connecting the load.
- Connect it at the wall. Put the meter between the mains outlet and the equipment being measured. The U.S. EPA/ENERGY STAR Version 4.0 computer test procedure specifies a true-power meter and direct connection without a power strip or UPS between the tested computer and the meter. That is a legacy laboratory procedure, not a universal instruction for every home setup; follow your meter’s guidance and electrical ratings.
- Run the intended stream setup. Use the software, encoder, output settings, scenes, game or media, and other normal conditions you expect during the stream. If booting or a one-time background task is not part of normal operation, let it settle before measuring. Note material settings and whether a display or peripherals are included.
- Measure over a representative interval. If the load changes, record accumulated energy and divide by elapsed time to find average power, or use the meter’s average-watt function. A brief display reading is only a snapshot. The U.S. Department of Energy’s summary of IEC 62301 describes stable power as varying by less than 5% from the mean over five minutes; otherwise, it recommends measuring energy over time and dividing by the measurement period. That stability criterion comes from standby-measurement guidance and does not mean five minutes captures every streaming workload.
- Write down the result. Record average watts, accumulated kWh, measurement duration, equipment included, workload and settings, and the date. If you test different scenes or configurations, keep separate, labelled results.
Choose a meter for the job
For a PC stream, prioritize the measurement features and electrical compatibility rather than a brand name. The official sources describe measurement principles; they do not endorse a consumer meter model or establish that a particular device is safe for every setup.
#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
- True-power measurement in watts, rather than an estimate based only on current.
- Accumulated kWh or an average-power function, so fluctuating draw can be assessed over time.
- Useful resolution for the load being measured.
- Compatibility with your local outlet and voltage.
- A maximum current and wattage rating suitable for the equipment connected.
DOE’s summary of IEC 62301 gives examples of instrument resolution of 0.01 W or better below 10 W and 0.1 W or better from above 10 W through 100 W. These are examples for low-power measurement conditions, not blanket specifications for a consumer meter measuring a PC.
Convert measured power into electricity cost
First convert average watts to kilowatts, then multiply by operating hours to get energy. DOE-hosted educational material gives the equation as “kWh = kW x hrs.” Multiply the resulting kWh by the electricity price that applies to your account.
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
Energy (kWh) = (average power in W ÷ 1,000) × hours
Estimated energy cost = energy (kWh) × your applicable price per kWh
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- ✓ 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.
For example, insert your measured average wattage and planned operating hours into the formula; do not substitute a generic PC draw. For a continuous schedule in an ordinary 365-day year, 24 × 365 equals 8,760 hours. That is calendar arithmetic, not a measurement or a prediction of a computer’s power use. For leap years, downtime, or a shorter schedule, use the actual operating-hour total.
Your bill may use time-of-use periods or tiered rates, and may include fixed charges, taxes or other adjustments. In those cases, a single per-kWh price gives an estimate rather than an exact bill change. Use your local tariff or bill details for the calculation.
Rank #4
- 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
Make fair comparisons between setups
When comparing a PC, encoder or streaming configuration, compare average draw under the same workload and settings, energy over the same duration, and the same equipment boundary. Apply the same local electricity rate to each result. Do not compare a peak watt reading with an average, or a PC-only measurement with a full-setup measurement.
ENERGY STAR’s current Computers page covers desktops, integrated desktops, notebooks, tablets, thin clients and workstations, and identifies an effective date of October 2025. Its efficiency criteria and controlled idle testing do not establish what an individual creator’s computer draws while streaming; measure the actual configuration.
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- 【Insightful Energy Tracking】Track your plug's energy use with clear and easy-to-understand statistics and intuitive charts, helping you optimize power usage.
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- 【Smart Charging for Devices】Automatically cuts power once your device reaches the low-battery limit you set, preventing overcharging.
- 【Auto-Shutoff】Prevents electrical overload by automatically shutting off devices that use too much power.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the wattage printed on my PC’s power supply to estimate stream electricity use?
No. The power-supply rating is not a measurement of the computer’s actual wall draw under your streaming workload. Measure the AC input while the intended setup is running.
How long should I measure the PC?
There is no single duration established for every stream. Choose an interval representative of normal operation, and use accumulated energy divided by elapsed time if the load fluctuates.
Does this method measure power used by my router or monitor too?
Only if those devices are included downstream of the meter. Otherwise, measure them separately if you want to include them in the estimate.
Quick Recap
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