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How much does a monitor left on 24/7 cost? Yearly power cost

By TechCompare · Updated · How we check

A 27 inch (68.6 cm) monitor left lit around the clock costs about $35 a year at $0.18/kWh and about €58 at €0.30/kWh. In sleep mode, at LG's 0.3 W ceiling, the same year costs at most $0.47.

LG lists 22 W of typical power use for its 27MP400-B, a 27 inch (68.6 cm) Full HD IPS monitor. Left on all year, that's 192.7 kWh, which costs $34.69 at $0.18/kWh, or $2.89 a month. Sleep mode is a different story, because LG lists under 0.3 W.

The table below prices 22 W at three dollar rates and three euro rates.

Yearly cost at six example rates, for 192.7 kWh a year

Example rateYearly costMonthly cost
$0.12 per kWh$23.13$1.93
$0.18 per kWh$34.69$2.89
$0.30 per kWh$57.82$4.82
€0.20 per kWh€38.54€3.21
€0.30 per kWh€57.82€4.82
€0.40 per kWh€77.09€6.42

Your own rate will differ. Open this scenario in euros and type the price from your bill.

Annual cost
$34.69
At $0.18/kWh, or €57.82 at €0.30/kWh
Monthly cost
$2.89
24 h/day at 100% load
Annual consumption
193 kWh
22 W load baseline
This exact 22 W at 24 h/day scenario, pre-loaded. Change the load, price, or add a second device to compare.
Edit in the full tool

How this is calculated

LG's 27MP400-B specifications list 22 W typical, 26 W maximum and under 0.3 W in sleep mode and with DC off. LG doesn't say how it measures the typical figure, and brightness, content and settings all move the real draw. This page uses the typical figure at 100% utilization for 24 hours.

Other monitors differ. A bigger or brighter panel draws more, and a small efficient one draws less. Use your monitor's spec sheet or a plug meter, and keep the 24 hours only if the screen really stays lit all day.

Verdict

Letting the monitor sleep is the whole saving. A screen that stays lit all day costs about $34.69 a year at $0.18/kWh, while one that sleeps costs at most $0.47. Set the display to turn off after a few minutes in your operating system's power settings.

Keep it lit around the clock only when it earns the power, like a dashboard or a status screen. At €0.40/kWh, the top euro rate in the table, that costs about €77 a year.

More Always on scenarios

500 W gaming PC, 4 h/day
This example uses a hypothetical 500 W wall-load baseline at 80%, giving 400 W average draw during four daily gaming hours.
View details
850 W gaming PC, 4 h/day
This example assumes an 850 W wall-load baseline at 80%, or 680 W average draw, for four hours daily.
View details
1200 W workstation, 8 h/day
This example uses a 1200 W wall-load baseline at 80%, giving 960 W average draw over eight daily hours.
View details

Related guides

PS5 in rest mode power cost
The console that usually sits next to a screen.
View guide
Wi-Fi router 24/7 power cost
Another device that stays on all year.
View guide

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to leave a monitor on all day?
A 27 inch (68.6 cm) monitor at 22 W costs $34.69 a year at $0.18/kWh, or $2.89 a month. That's 192.7 kWh a year.
Does a monitor in sleep mode still use power?
A little. LG lists under 0.3 W for the 27MP400-B in sleep mode, which is at most 2.6 kWh and $0.47 a year at $0.18/kWh.
What does a monitor left on cost per year in euros?
At 22 W it costs €38.54 a year at €0.20/kWh, €57.82 at €0.30/kWh and €77.09 at €0.40/kWh. Open the estimator in euros from the link under the table to enter your own rate.

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