There is no fixed monthly electricity-unit figure for streaming to YouTube with OBS. Your total depends on the equipment’s average power draw at the wall and how many hours it runs. Estimate it with: units (kWh) = average watts × streaming hours × days ÷ 1,000.
For example, a hypothetical 120 W desktop running 24 hours a day for 30 days would use 86.4 units. That is an illustrative calculation based on StreamNeo’s desktop example, not a universal OBS benchmark or a measurement of your computer. StreamNeo’s example describes 120 W as an estimate for a continuous stream.
Calculate your monthly electricity use
In electricity billing, one unit is one kilowatt-hour (kWh). Convert watts to kilowatts by dividing by 1,000, then multiply by the time the equipment runs.
Monthly units = average wall power (W) × streaming hours per day × days in the billing period ÷ 1,000
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute#1 Best Overall
- 【Insightful Energy Tracking】Track your plug's energy use with clear and easy-to-understand statistics and intuitive charts, helping you optimize power usage.
- 【Estimate Your Energy Bill】 Enhance energy management by integrating with billing systems for clear cost visualization (both single and periodic readings). Additionally, programmable scheduling allows automatic operation of high-consumption devices during off-peak hours with lower electricity rates, resulting in cost savings.
- 【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.
- 【Voice & Remote Control】 With built-in support for both Alexa and Google Assistant, issue simple voice commands to adjust settings, turn devices on or off, or even access specific functions without lifting a finger. Manage Tapo P115 and its connected devices from anywhere with the user-friendly Tapo app.
| Example | Calculation | Estimated use |
|---|---|---|
| 120 W for 24 hours a day over 30 days | 120 × 24 × 30 ÷ 1,000 | 86.4 units |
| 120 W for 4 hours a day over 30 days | 120 × 4 × 30 ÷ 1,000 | 14.4 units |
Both examples use the same illustrative 120 W desktop estimate; neither is a measured average for OBS users. Your total may be higher or lower depending on your setup and actual usage.
What equipment should you count?
OBS does not have one fixed electricity load. The computer or standalone encoder doing the streaming uses power, as can connected production equipment. YouTube’s encoder setup guidance describes computer and hardware-encoder options and examples of connected devices such as microphones and webcams.
Rank #2
- 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
- For a computer-only estimate, measure the computer’s draw while it is streaming.
- For a whole-setup estimate, account separately for powered equipment you include, such as a monitor, encoder, microphone, or webcam.
- Use the average draw during a normal stream, not the maximum wattage printed on a power supply. A power supply’s rating is not a measurement of the computer’s usual consumption.
Measure your setup instead of guessing
- Record your streaming schedule. Note the hours streamed per day and the number of days in the electricity billing period.
- Measure wall power during a typical stream. A plug-in energy meter that accumulates kWh may help if it is compatible with your equipment and rated for the electrical load. No particular meter model is established here as tested or recommended.
- Use a representative average. Streaming loads vary, so measure during an ordinary session rather than relying on a peak or nameplate figure.
- Apply the formula. Multiply average watts by streaming hours and days, then divide by 1,000. If you already have a meter’s cumulative kWh reading for the billing period, use the increase recorded while streaming.
- Keep the scope consistent. If your measurement covers only the computer, do not treat it as the total for other powered equipment.
Estimate the cost in rupees using your own bill
A rough estimate is added units × applicable per-unit energy charge. India does not have one household electricity rate that can safely be applied to every reader: retail tariffs are determined by state electricity regulatory commissions, and subsidies may apply to some consumer classes. The Ministry of Power states that state commissions determine retail electricity tariffs. Consult the current tariff and billing details for your location; the CEA’s March 2024 tariff-and-duty reference and Puducherry’s tariff-order index illustrate the jurisdiction-specific nature of tariff information.
Your actual bill can also depend on tariff category, slabs, subsidies, duties, adjustments, and fixed charges. Use the bill’s relevant terms for an approximation rather than multiplying by an assumed national rate.
Rank #3
- 【Insightful Energy Tracking】Track your plug's energy use with clear and easy-to-understand statistics and intuitive charts, helping you optimize power usage.
- 【Estimate Your Energy Bill】 Enhance energy management by integrating with billing systems for clear cost visualization (both single and periodic readings). Additionally, programmable scheduling allows automatic operation of high-consumption devices during off-peak hours with lower electricity rates, resulting in cost savings.
- 【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.
- 【Voice & Remote Control】 With built-in support for both Alexa and Google Assistant, issue simple voice commands to adjust settings, turn devices on or off, or even access specific functions without lifting a finger. Manage Tapo P115 and its connected devices from anywhere with the user-friendly Tapo app.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you are planning a continuous YouTube stream, StreamNeo runs uploaded videos from the cloud, so your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. It automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream.
Every slot streams the video as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot rather than a quality-based tier. The first day is free with no card required; it is one free day per account. After that, monthly billing is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo is for uploaded videos streamed to YouTube, not live camera broadcasts. See StreamNeo for details, or start the free first day.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Matter-Certified】Matter-certified devices, regardless of brand, can work together and are compatible with most major smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings. Enjoy more flexible and unified control.
- 【Insightful Energy Tracking】 Monitor your energy consumption with in-depth statistics and clear visuals, helping you optimize power usage.
- 【Estimate Your Energy Bill】 Enhance energy management by integrating with billing systems for clear cost visualization (both single and periodic readings). Additionally, programmable scheduling allows automatic operation of high-consumption devices during off-peak hours with lower electricity rates, resulting in cost savings.
- 【Overcharge Prevention & Power Management】 Automatically cuts off power based on user-set thresholds and durations to prevent overcharging, conserve energy, and protect connected devices from overcurrents by shutting off when power exceeds set limits.
- 【Voice & Remote Control】 With built-in support for both Alexa and Google Assistant, issue simple voice commands to adjust settings, turn devices on or off, or even access specific functions without lifting a finger. Manage Tapo P110M and its connected devices from anywhere with the user-friendly Tapo app.
Rank #4
- Control Your Appliances and Devices: Control lights, fans, lamps, humidifiers, and any other appliances or electronics that plug into 120V outlets with a 10A Maximum Continuous Load (15A Max Peak Load for up to 1hr/day)
- Monitor Your Home Energy Like a Pro: Emporia smart plugs let you stay on top of energy used by your devices and appliances. Eliminate wasteful stand-by power, save on electricity, and extend product life.
- Smart Scheduling for Maximum Control: With built in on/off scheduling capability, use your smart plugs to automatically switch on and off appliances and devices. Want freshly brewed coffee at 7am? Just schedule it with an Emporia plug!
- Remote Control. Anytime, Anywhere. Control your home remotely using the Emporia App on your phone. Leave the lights on? Forget to turn off an appliance? Check the real-time status and toggle it on or off anytime, anywhere!
- Requires 2.4GHz Wifi Connection to control your devices remotely from your phone with an internet connection. 5.0 GHz Wifi networks are not supported.
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.
