How Much Does a Home Office Cost in Electricity?
Your computer, monitor, and peripherals use more power than you think. Here is the annual cost.
A typical home office setup — desktop computer, monitor, router, desk lamp — uses 200-500 watts during active use. At the national average of $0.16/kWh, running this setup 8 hours a day costs $94-234 per year in electricity. A gaming PC or dual-monitor setup can push this to $300-500/year.
Power Usage by Device
Laptop: 30-65 watts. Desktop PC: 150-350 watts. Monitor (24 inch): 20-50 watts. Dual monitors: 40-100 watts. Router/modem: 10-20 watts. Desk lamp (LED): 5-15 watts. Phone charger: 5 watts. Space heater: 750-1,500 watts (the real budget killer).
The Space Heater Trap
A 1,500-watt space heater running 8 hours a day adds $45/month to your electric bill. Over a 5-month winter, that is $225 — more than your entire computer setup costs for the whole year. If you work from home in a cold room, insulation and a heated blanket ($30-50 one-time) are far cheaper than a space heater.