WattCost

Data through June 2026

Category · 1,530 certified models

Computer Monitors: what they cost to run

With a computer monitor, usage is the multiplier — the certified kWh figures hold usage constant so the hardware differences show. The 1530 models here range $2.04–$74 per year at national-average rates (median $8.26).

Panel size and resolution drive the total-energy figure; sleep-mode behavior matters more than most people expect at 65% assumed idle time. Every figure on this page comes from ENERGY STAR's certified test data — the 11–403 kWh/yr range you see is measured, not estimated.

Median cost
$8.26/yr
Cheapest model
$2.04/yr
Priciest model
$74/yr
11 kWh403 kWh
Distribution of certified annual kWh across 1,530 computer monitors

The 20 most efficient to run

Lowest certified annual kWh among all computer monitors
#ModelkWh/yr$/yr (US avg)
1Acer PE140WU_zmost efficient11$2.04
2ELO ET1304LSN13$2.34
3HP HP E14 G4most efficient13$2.35
4DELL P1424Hf13$2.47
5VAIO VJ5VP141XXXXmost efficient14$2.62
6Wacom One DTC14114$2.65
7PLANAR PM16-S14$2.66
8EIZO FlexScan FLTmost efficient15$2.68
9MSI PRO MP161 E2most efficient15$2.76
10ASUS MQ16FCmost efficient15$2.80
11ASUS MB14AC15$2.83
12Lenovo A25160WX0most efficient16$2.88
13ASUS MB16616$2.89
14LG 29BN65016$2.98
15ASUS MB16517$3.03
16Acer PM161Q17$3.07
17ASUS PA14717$3.09
18ASUS MQ13A17$3.11
19HP BCLAA-180317$3.12
20Lenovo D22140MX017$3.17

Typical cost by state

Median certified computer monitor (45 kWh/yr) at each state's average residential rate
StateRate ¢/kWhMedian $/yrRelative cost
Alabama16.4¢$7.38
Alaska28.2¢$13
Arizona15.2¢$6.83
Arkansas14.1¢$6.36
California34.7¢$16
Colorado17.1¢$7.71
Connecticut24.3¢$11
Delaware19.3¢$8.68
District of Columbia24.4¢$11
Florida15.1¢$6.80
Georgia16.4¢$7.37
Hawaiipriciest52.7¢$24
Idaho14.4¢$6.47
Illinois19.9¢$8.95
Indiana17.5¢$7.88
Iowa15.9¢$7.17
Kansas15.7¢$7.07
Kentucky14.3¢$6.42
Louisiana13.5¢$6.07
Maine29.6¢$13
Maryland21.8¢$9.83
Massachusetts29.6¢$13
Michigan23.0¢$10
Minnesota17.5¢$7.89
Mississippi14.9¢$6.70
Missouri16.2¢$7.30
Montana15.1¢$6.82
Nebraska13.3¢$5.97
Nevadacheapest13.1¢$5.90
New Hampshire27.0¢$12
New Jersey24.9¢$11
New Mexico15.1¢$6.78
New York29.5¢$13
North Carolina14.7¢$6.64
North Dakota14.1¢$6.36
Ohio19.2¢$8.64
Oklahoma14.3¢$6.45
Oregon16.3¢$7.35
Pennsylvania21.7¢$9.78
Rhode Island29.2¢$13
South Carolina15.6¢$7.00
South Dakota15.4¢$6.92
Tennessee14.1¢$6.33
Texas15.9¢$7.18
Utah13.4¢$6.02
Vermont24.4¢$11
Virginia17.2¢$7.75
Washington14.9¢$6.71
West Virginia15.4¢$6.96
Wisconsin19.6¢$8.81
Wyoming15.2¢$6.86

How to read these numbers

The certified annual kWh (TEC) assumes the monitor is on 35% of the day and asleep the other 65%, per the ENERGY STAR test basis. Full methodology and limitations →

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Browse Computer Monitors by Efficiency

Questions, answered with the data

How much does a computer monitor cost to run per year?
The median ENERGY STAR certified computer monitor costs about $8.26 a year at the U.S. average rate (18.3¢/kWh). Across all 1530 certified models, costs range from $2.04 to $74.
How much electricity does a computer monitor use?
Certified models use between 11 and 403 kWh per year (median 45). The certified annual kWh (TEC) assumes the monitor is on 35% of the day and asleep the other 65%, per the ENERGY STAR test basis.
Where is a computer monitor cheapest and most expensive to run?
Nevada has the lowest residential rate (13.1¢/kWh), putting the median computer monitor at $5.90 a year; Hawaii (52.7¢/kWh) is the most expensive at $24.
What makes one computer monitor cheaper to run than another?
Panel size and resolution drive the total-energy figure; sleep-mode behavior matters more than most people expect at 65% assumed idle time.

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