Estimate the electricity cost with this formula: annual cost = (average wall draw in watts ÷ 1,000) × 8,760 × your electricity price per kWh. At the U.S. residential average of 18.56¢/kWh reported for March 2026, a constant 10 W would cost about $16.25 a year, or $1.35 a month. That is illustrative arithmetic, not a measured bill for a mini PC streaming a YouTube playlist: your result depends on the setup’s actual wall draw and your local tariff.
Calculate the electricity cost for your own setup
For a device that runs continuously, multiply its average wall draw by 8,760 hours per year, convert watt-hours to kilowatt-hours, then multiply by your electricity rate:
Annual cost = (watts Ă· 1,000) Ă— 8,760 Ă— tariff per kWh
To estimate a monthly amount, divide the annual result by 12. Use the rate on your utility bill where possible. Measure the complete setup at the wall—including any display or peripherals left powered—rather than relying on the processor’s advertised thermal design power (TDP), which is not system-level electricity use. A plug-in power meter can show the draw of your actual configuration; ideally, observe it over a representative streaming period. MiniPCLab’s power-cost guide recommends measuring wall draw.
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Example scenarios at a dated U.S. reference rate
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a residential average of 18.56 cents per kWh for March 2026. The EIA marks its 2025 and 2026 values preliminary, and a national average is not your local tariff. The following figures are calculations at that rate, not predictions of a particular streaming setup’s consumption. EIA Electric Power Monthly, table 5.3.
| Constant average draw | Estimated energy per year | Estimated cost per year | Estimated cost per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.2 W | 54.3 kWh | $10.08 | $0.84 |
| 10 W | 87.6 kWh | $16.25 | $1.35 |
| 22 W | 192.7 kWh | $35.68 | $2.97 |
These examples use constant draw for all 8,760 hours and the EIA rate above. The 6.2 W and 22 W endpoints are idle and full-CPU-load readings from one Beelink EQ14 test setup—not measurements of YouTube playlist streaming.
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Why published mini PC readings are only a starting point
Beelink EQ14 readings vary with configuration and method
MiniPCLab reports 6.2 W idle, 8–10 W under light load, and 18–22 W under full CPU load for a Beelink EQ14. Its guide describes wall-socket readings after 10 minutes at stable idle on Proxmox VE 8.x with no virtual machines running, alongside its stated load conditions. Those figures do not establish what the same computer draws with your operating system, encoder, video, and network setup. MiniPCLab’s guide.
A separate 2026 guide puts an EQ14 at around 12 W idle and 26 W under load, with load figures drawn from separate published reviews. The difference underscores why readings from different configurations and methods should not be treated as interchangeable—or as a streaming benchmark. Measure your own equipment if you need a close estimate. Starry Hope’s 24/7 mini PC cost guide.
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A different small computer is not a direct substitute
For comparison, Apple lists 4 W idle and 65 W maximum for the 2024 M4 Mac mini. Apple defines idle as having only Finder open under default power management and says its watt measurements are taken from the wall source, including system and power-supply losses. These are not YouTube-streaming measurements and should not be used as a prediction for another mini PC. Apple’s Mac mini power information.
Include the costs and continuity requirements beyond electricity
The formula gives the electricity portion, not the full cost of keeping a stream available. A useful comparison between a local mini PC and a hosted service should account for:
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- Your actual measured wall draw and your local electricity tariff.
- Hardware cost, if you are buying a computer specifically for streaming.
- Whether the method can recover after a computer crash, power interruption, or network failure.
- Any quality, bitrate, or stream-duration limits that affect your intended setup.
- Recurring service fees, if applicable, alongside hardware and electricity costs.
There is no universal household total without both the intended setup’s measured draw and the applicable tariff. Nor does a low electricity estimate by itself establish that a particular mini PC is suitable: check its ports, network reliability, operating-system needs, and ability to run your chosen encoder and playlist workflow.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Set up the YouTube stream and plan for long durations
YouTube’s encoder instructions say to connect using the YouTube stream URL and stream key. Depending on the encoder, select YouTube as the service or enter the URL and key in its stream settings. Treat the key as a credential: do not publish it or share it with anyone who should not control the stream. YouTube Help: Create a live stream with an encoder.
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YouTube Help states: “All streams under 12 hours will be automatically archived.” The page does not promise automatic archiving for streams lasting 12 hours or more. Archiving and keeping a multi-day stream running are separate concerns, so plan recording and continuity rather than assuming an uninterrupted 24/7 stream will be archived.
Check rights and channel suitability before looping documentaries
Having a video file does not by itself establish the right to broadcast it. Before looping a documentary or other prerecorded material, make sure you have permission for the content and any music, footage, or other included works. YouTube’s cited encoder guidance covers connecting the stream; it does not establish that a particular video is copyright-safe or that a channel will qualify for monetization. A continuous stream also should not be treated as a shortcut around YouTube’s channel policies. Review the platform’s current rules for your channel and content before going live.
Or let it run in the cloud
StreamNeo is a hosted option for keeping a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Its cloud service loops the uploaded video, so a computer and home connection do not have to stay on. StreamNeo says it supports any uploaded quality up to 4K at 60 fps for one flat price per slot, without re-encoding, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly: $9.99 per month. Details are vendor-provided, not independent test results. See StreamNeo, or start the free first day.
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