WattCost

Data through April 2026

Category · 1,482 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 1482 models here range $2.09–$76 per year at national-average rates (median $8.49).

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
$8.49/yr
Cheapest model
$2.09/yr
Priciest model
$76/yr
11 kWh403 kWh
Distribution of certified annual kWh across 1,482 computer monitors

The 10 cheapest to run

Lowest certified annual kWh among all computer monitors
#ModelkWh/yr$/yr (US avg)
1Acer PE140WU_zmost efficient11$2.09
2HP HP E14 G4most efficient13$2.41
3DELL P1424Hf13$2.53
4VAIO VJ5VP141XXXXmost efficient14$2.69
5Wacom One DTC14114$2.72
6PLANAR PM16-S14$2.73
7EIZO FlexScan FLTmost efficient15$2.75
8MSI PRO MP161 E2most efficient15$2.83
9ASUS MQ16FCmost efficient15$2.88
10ASUS MB14AC15$2.90

Typical cost by state

Median certified computer monitor (45 kWh/yr) at each state's average residential rate
StateRate ¢/kWhMedian $/yrRelative cost
Alabama17.4¢$7.85
Alaska27.4¢$12
Arizona15.5¢$6.98
Arkansas14.2¢$6.38
California35.3¢$16
Colorado16.5¢$7.46
Connecticut32.2¢$15
Delaware18.8¢$8.47
District of Columbia25.4¢$11
Florida15.4¢$6.93
Georgia15.4¢$6.93
Hawaiipriciest46.6¢$21
Idaho12.7¢$5.73
Illinois20.5¢$9.23
Indiana17.9¢$8.07
Iowa13.9¢$6.25
Kansas15.8¢$7.11
Kentucky15.0¢$6.77
Louisiana14.4¢$6.51
Maine28.4¢$13
Maryland22.1¢$9.95
Massachusetts29.4¢$13
Michigan21.4¢$9.64
Minnesota16.4¢$7.39
Mississippi16.8¢$7.56
Missouri14.0¢$6.32
Montana13.9¢$6.27
Nebraska13.3¢$5.99
Nevada14.3¢$6.44
New Hampshire27.2¢$12
New Jersey23.5¢$11
New Mexico15.2¢$6.83
New York29.4¢$13
North Carolina16.3¢$7.33
North Dakotacheapest12.3¢$5.57
Ohio19.5¢$8.79
Oklahoma13.3¢$6.00
Oregon15.8¢$7.11
Pennsylvania21.5¢$9.68
Rhode Island28.3¢$13
South Carolina17.1¢$7.69
South Dakota14.5¢$6.55
Tennessee14.9¢$6.73
Texas17.0¢$7.66
Utah13.3¢$5.99
Vermont24.6¢$11
Virginia17.4¢$7.83
Washington14.4¢$6.47
West Virginia16.1¢$7.24
Wisconsin19.2¢$8.66
Wyoming14.7¢$6.62

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 →

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 $8.49 a year at the U.S. average rate (18.8¢/kWh). Across all 1482 certified models, costs range from $2.09 to $76.
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?
North Dakota has the lowest residential rate (12.3¢/kWh), putting the median computer monitor at $5.57 a year; Hawaii (46.6¢/kWh) is the most expensive at $21.
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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