There is no reliable one-size-fits-all price: multiply the computer’s average power draw at the wall while streaming by the hours it runs, then apply your electricity rate. At the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s 2025 residential average of 17.30¢ per kWh, a computer drawing a continuous 100 watts would use 72 kWh and cost about $12.60 for a 30-day month. That is a calculation, not a claim that an old desktop uses 100 watts.
How to calculate the monthly electricity cost
Use the average wattage measured at the wall while the computer is doing the actual streaming workload—not the power supply’s maximum rating or a generic desktop estimate.
- Measure average watts. Run the intended stream and measure the complete setup over a representative interval. Include an always-on monitor or other equipment if you want to count its electricity too.
- Calculate monthly energy. Average watts Ă— 24 hours Ă— 30 days Ă· 1,000 = monthly kWh.
- Apply your electricity rate. Monthly kWh × your price per kWh = approximate monthly energy cost. Use your bill’s rate if available; taxes, fixed charges, and time-of-use pricing can affect the final bill.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s older meter material describes accumulating readings over a chosen interval; it supports measuring the setup rather than guessing, but it is not a current estimate of PC wattage. EPA computer metering instructions
What the cost looks like at the 2025 U.S. average
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a 2025 annual average residential electricity price of 17.30¢ per kWh. At that rate, each continuously drawn 100 watts uses 72 kWh over 30 days and costs about $12.60. These are calculations at the dated national benchmark, not measured results for an unspecified computer. The EIA’s 2025 state average ranged from 8.20¢ per kWh in North Dakota to 35.72¢ per kWh in Hawaii; that published state range covers all types of utility customers, not residential customers alone. Your own rate may differ. EIA electricity data
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| Continuous average draw | Monthly energy for 30 days | Cost at 17.30¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 10 W | 7.2 kWh | About $1.25 |
| 50 W | 36 kWh | About $6.23 |
| 100 W | 72 kWh | About $12.60 |
| 200 W | 144 kWh | About $24.91 |
Scenario amounts are rounded arithmetic at the EIA’s 2025 U.S. residential average. They are not wattage estimates for old computers. At that benchmark, every additional continuous 10 W adds about $1.26 per 30-day month.
How much electricity does a PC use while streaming?
The available YouTube guidance specifies stream settings, not the watts a particular computer consumes. The result depends on the machine, its encoder and hardware acceleration, the source video, and what else is powered. A lower resolution or frame rate may reduce encoding work, but documentation alone cannot establish how much—or whether—it reduces wall draw for your setup. Measure the workload you plan to run.
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Use a representative test
- Configure the intended stream and source video before measuring.
- Measure over a representative interval rather than relying on a brief idle reading; use average watts for the formula.
- Decide whether the figure should include the monitor, speakers, or other equipment that will remain on.
- If the stream’s workload changes substantially, measure again under the new settings.
YouTube settings and connection requirements
For H.264 live encoding, YouTube recommends 5 Mbps at 1080p30, 8 Mbps at 720p60, and 3 Mbps at 720p30. It recommends constant bitrate (CBR), a two-second keyframe interval, and testing the setup before streaming. These are streaming recommendations, not predictors of electrical consumption. YouTube live encoder settings
YouTube recommends keeping 20% upload-bandwidth headroom; other people or devices using the same connection can reduce what is available to the stream. Continuous streaming can also consume substantial data, but the bill impact depends on the upload bitrate, any data cap, and your internet plan’s terms. YouTube live streaming bandwidth guidance
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Can an old desktop stay live around the clock?
Electricity is only one part of the calculation. You also need a channel that can livestream, a stable upload connection, and a computer and encoder that can sustain the chosen stream. YouTube requires a verified channel with no livestreaming restrictions in the previous 90 days; enabling live streaming for the first time can take up to 24 hours. YouTube recommends testing and monitoring stream health. YouTube live streaming eligibility YouTube live encoder guidance
A wall-power measurement answers the electricity question for the setup tested; it does not establish whether a particular aging computer or home connection will stay reliable indefinitely.
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Or let it run in the cloud
If the point is keeping a YouTube channel live with uploaded video, StreamNeo is an alternative to leaving a desktop on: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. StreamNeo loops uploaded videos from the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home. It handles any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, with no re-encode or quality tiers, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. It streams to YouTube only. Learn about StreamNeo, then start your free first day.
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