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Turning off the monitor does not turn off the computer. If the computer keeps playing or encoding a YouTube stream, it continues to use electricity; switching off the display may reduce the total, but the remaining cost depends on the measured power draw, runtime, and your electricity rate.
How to calculate the electricity cost
Use the average power draw of the equipment you want to count, the number of hours it runs, and the applicable electricity rate:
Cost = average watts × hours ÷ 1,000 × price per kWh.
The first part of the formula gives energy in kilowatt-hours (kWh): average watts × hours ÷ 1,000. Multiply that result by the price per kWh shown on your electricity bill. For a continuous 30-day estimate, use 720 hours; for a year, use 8,760 hours. If your bill uses time-of-use rates, use the rate that applies to the hours being measured.
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Example—not a typical-computer estimate
At an average draw of 60 W and a rate of $0.20/kWh for 720 hours, the setup uses 43.2 kWh and costs $8.64. These are illustrative assumptions, not a universal price or a claim about what a particular computer uses.
What “monitor off” means for power use
A monitor that is off and a computer that is off are different states. The computer can continue running a stream while the display is switched off. That usually removes the display’s active use from the total, but the computer and any other equipment still running continue to draw power. Some monitors also use a small amount in standby; the exact amount depends on the model and its state.
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The relevant workload matters too. Watching a stream, encoding and sending a live stream, and leaving a computer idle are different operating conditions. YouTube does not determine the electricity used by your local equipment. There is no single wattage that applies to every computer or streaming setup.
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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program (DOE FEMP) advises: “If your networked computer(s) must remain on in the evening for file backup or other purposes, turn off the monitor.” DOE FEMP’s computer guidance addresses the same distinction: the screen can be off while a networked computer remains on.
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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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Measure the setup you actually leave running
- Decide what to include. For example, measure only the computer, or include a separately powered monitor, speakers, and network equipment if you want the cost of the whole setup.
- Measure in the relevant state. Set the computer to the actual workload you care about and switch the monitor to the state you use—blanked, standby, or fully switched off.
- Use a plug-in electricity usage monitor if suitable. Connect the equipment through a meter that is rated for the load and safe for your setup. A meter that reports kWh directly can give you energy use for the measurement period.
- Allow for fluctuations. If the reading changes over time, measure for a representative period and divide the energy used by the duration to find average power. DOE FEMP’s standby-power measurement guidance describes measuring fluctuating consumption over time and averaging it.
- Apply your own electricity rate. Multiply the measured kWh by the relevant rate on your bill. A national average or a facility rate may not match your household tariff.
How DOE figures can—and cannot—help
DOE FEMP’s display comparison reports annual estimates 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. The page reports market and product data through December 2024. These are product-comparison estimates under the page’s assumptions; they are not measurements of an arbitrary monitor while its screen is switched off. The same comparison uses 11¢/kWh, a U.S. federal-facility average reported by DOE for July 2024—not a universal household rate. See DOE FEMP’s display and monitor guidance.
DOE FEMP also says that enabling computer power-management features can reduce computer energy use by up to 27% annually. Treat that as guidance-page context, not a forecast for an always-on streaming computer: the result depends on how the computer is used and configured. Power-management settings that put the computer to sleep may also interrupt a stream that needs it to remain active.
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Watching a stream versus operating one
If you mean watching YouTube continuously, measure the device playing the video and any other equipment you choose to include. If you mean running a live encoder, measure the computer while it is encoding and sending the stream. The two workloads should not be treated as interchangeable.
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YouTube supports live streaming through methods including a webcam or encoder on a computer, as well as mobile and console pathways. Its getting-started guidance covers those options. For streams operated through an encoder, YouTube advises monitoring audio and video quality and stopping the encoder after the stream has stopped on YouTube; these are operating instructions, not electricity-use estimates. See YouTube’s live-streaming tips.
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Common sources of a misleading estimate
- Counting only the display: turning off the screen does not stop a computer that is still running.
- Using a wattage from a different device or workload: hardware, settings, playback, and encoding can change power draw. Measure your own setup instead of treating a laptop, desktop, TV, or streaming box as equivalent.
- Using a short or unrepresentative reading: fluctuating consumption can make a momentary wattage misleading. Measure over a representative period and calculate the average.
- Applying the wrong rate: use the applicable price per kWh from your own bill, including the relevant time period if your tariff varies.
- Assuming “off” always means zero: equipment can draw electricity in standby. DOE FEMP’s measurement guidance discusses standby power and measurement procedures.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you operate a YouTube channel that loops uploaded videos, StreamNeo is a cloud option rather than a way to reduce the electricity draw of a computer you keep running at home. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. StreamNeo loops the uploaded video from the cloud, so your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. It supports uploaded video up to 4K 60fps as made, at one flat price per slot, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo or its plans. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
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