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To include router and modem power in a 24/7 YouTube stream estimate, calculate each device’s daily energy use as watts ÷ 1,000 × 24, then multiply the resulting kilowatt-hours (kWh) by your electricity rate per kWh. Add separate devices together, but count an all-in-one router/modem gateway only once. Keep this network-equipment subtotal separate from the computer and other streaming gear.
Calculate router and modem electricity use
Watts measure power at a point in time; kilowatt-hours measure energy used over time. For a device left on continuously, use:
Daily energy (kWh) = device watts ÷ 1,000 × 24
Daily cost = daily kWh × your electricity price per kWh
For a different period, replace 24 with the number of operating hours. For a year of continuous use, use 8,760 hours (365 × 24). For a monthly estimate, state the assumed number of days or use the actual number of days in the billing period.
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Work out the network subtotal
- Find the router’s power draw in watts and calculate its kWh for the period.
- Find the modem’s power draw and calculate its kWh for the same period, unless it is part of an integrated gateway.
- Add the separate devices’ kWh, then multiply by your local electricity price per kWh. Alternatively, calculate each device’s cost and add the costs.
For example, Greater Shepparton City Council’s energy guide uses a 10 W router: 10 ÷ 1,000 × 24 = 0.24 kWh per day. At an electricity rate of R currency units per kWh, that example costs 0.24 × R per day. The 10 W figure is illustrative, not a typical or guaranteed draw for every router. Greater Shepparton City Council’s Energy Efficient Toolkit Instruction Guide
Use device-specific wattage, not a universal assumption
Router and modem power varies by model and operating state. Avoid assigning one standard wattage to all network equipment. If you use a published figure, identify the model and whether it describes idle, ready, or active operation.
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- TWO-IN-ONE DOCSIS 3.0 MODEM ROUTER: Combines your modem and router into one device. Simply connect to your coaxial cable outlet to set up. Not compatible with fiber, DSL, satellite, or bundled voice services from cable providers. For US cable internet only.
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TP-Link’s 2025 small network equipment information lists these manufacturer-reported idle figures for particular routers:
| Router model | Reported idle power |
|---|---|
| Archer A54 | 2.86 W |
| Archer AX20 | 6.64 W |
| Archer AXE300 | 17.83 W |
These are model-specific idle figures under the voluntary-agreement procedures described by TP-Link, not measurements of every unit during an active stream and not modem figures. TP-Link small network equipment idle power information
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- Easy setup: Connect cable, power on, and activate with your cable provider. Then join the default Wi-Fi or personalize your own Wi-Fi network name and password.
- Wi-Fi 6 Coverage: Includes dual-band W-Fi 6 (AX3000) delivering up to 3 Gbps wireless performance for your whole home.
Comcast also publishes ready-state power information for residential internet equipment, notes that an individual device’s use can vary, and says its table is updated quarterly. Treat a ready-state figure as the condition it represents rather than as a universal active-stream measurement. Comcast: Energy usage of your internet equipment
Find or measure the watts
Check the equipment’s manufacturer information or packaging for input power or consumption details. Input power can help estimate running cost, though a label or specification may not describe the device’s draw in every operating state. Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water describes estimating annual running cost by multiplying annual kWh by the electricity rate. Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Energy Ratings
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- AX1800: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading with 1.8 Gbps total bandwidth (up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz). Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
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- OUR CYBERSECURITY COMMITMENT: TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
If the documentation does not give a useful wattage, a plug-in electricity usage monitor is an optional way to measure a simple, fairly consistent load. Record the device and conditions measured; distinguish a measured value from a manufacturer-published figure. The council guide discusses measuring simple devices in watts. Greater Shepparton City Council’s measurement guidance
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Apply your own electricity rate
There is no single cost that applies to every household: the currency and price per kWh depend on location and tariff. Use the rate on your current bill or the applicable tariff, and keep the currency explicit. Avoid using an unlabeled sample rate as though it were universal.
Best Value
- MAXIMIZE YOUR CABLE INTERNET AND WHOLE-HOME WIFI: A cable modem and WiFi router in one device unlocks the full potential of your home internet with faster downloads, smoother WiFi for gaming and video calls, and reliable coverage in every room.
- APPROVED FOR YOUR PROVIDER AND PLAN: Works with Xfinity internet plans up to 800Mbps, Spectrum up to 1Gbps, and Cox up to 1Gbps. Not compatible with Verizon, AT&T, CenturyLink, DirecTV, DISH, or bundled voice plans. ISP activation required after setup.
- MULTI-GIG DOCSIS 3.1 SPEEDS: Get Gigabit+ cable download speeds on today's fastest plans, with headroom for the upgrades ahead. Real-world speeds depend on your plan and ISP network.
- WIFI 6 COVERAGE FOR THE WHOLE HOME: Stay connected in every room with dual-band AX6000 WiFi 6 covering up to 2,500 sq ft and capacity for 30+ connected devices across your home. Real-world coverage depends on home size, layout, and building materials.
- MULTI-GIG WIRED CONNECTIONS FOR YOUR FASTEST DEVICES: One 2.5 Gig Multi-Gig port and four Gigabit Ethernet ports keep gaming consoles, desktops, and streaming devices hardwired for the lowest latency and the most stable connection in your home.
When comparing setups, make the comparison meaningful by using the same operating period and electricity rate, and by noting whether the wattage is measured or published and whether it represents idle, ready, or active use.
Keep the network subtotal distinct from the full stream setup
If you want the cost of the entire 24/7 streaming setup rather than only its internet equipment, calculate the computer and each other continuously powered device separately, then add their energy use or costs to the router/modem subtotal. Do not fold those loads into a number labeled “router and modem.”
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