Average Power (watts) Hours Used Per Day Electric Rate ($/kWh) Days Per Month Calculate Cost

Why Energy Costs Matter

Remote work often shifts utility expenses from your employer to your personal budget. Computers, monitors, and lighting can draw significant power, especially when running full time. Understanding your energy consumption helps you budget accordingly and find ways to save.

Simple Power Consumption Formula

To estimate monthly cost, we multiply power usage by hours of operation and convert to kilowatt-hours (kWh) before applying your local electric rate:

This approach assumes steady power draw. Actual consumption may fluctuate if your equipment enters standby modes. Nonetheless, the estimate reveals how seemingly small devices contribute to your overall electricity bill.

Example Cost Table

Power	Daily Hours	Rate	Monthly Cost
150 W	8	$0.15	$5.40
250 W	10	$0.20	$15.00

If you run a 150-watt setup for eight hours each workday at 15 cents per kWh, you’ll spend about $5.40 in a 30-day month. Higher wattage or longer usage naturally increases costs. Turning off equipment when not in use or enabling power-saving settings can reduce your bill.

Saving Energy in Your Workspace

LED lighting, efficient laptops, and smart power strips help curb unnecessary draw. Tracking your usage with this calculator lets you experiment with changes, such as dimming monitors or reducing standby power. The savings may be modest month to month, but they add up over time.

Balancing Comfort and Efficiency

Powering a home office must balance productivity with responsible energy consumption. Devices that generate heat may also influence your cooling costs. Using task lighting instead of room-wide illumination can lower electricity use while keeping the workspace comfortable. Consider the full energy profile—including heating and cooling—when planning a cost-efficient office.