How much electricity does a computer use?
A computer with a monitor that draws e.g. 150 W uses 0.15 kWh an hour, about 0.16 PLN. An 8-hour working day is 1.2 kWh and about 1.25 PLN, and 250 days of remote work a year about 300 kWh and about 312 PLN.
Example: 150 W × 8 h × 250 days ÷ 1000 = 300 kWh
Computer with monitor: about 300 kWh a year, about 312 PLN a year
about 312 PLN a yearabout 26 PLN a month
One use and average
- 1 hour of use
- 0.15 kWh, about 0.16 PLN
- 1 day of use (8 h)
- 1.2 kWh, about 1.25 PLN
- Average per day
- 0.82 kWh, about 0.85 PLN
Price from 11 October 2026, estimate
| Period | Use | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per day, average | 0.82 kWh | 0.85 PLN |
| Per month | 25 kWh | 26 PLN |
| Per year | 300 kWh | 312 PLN |
Assumptions and formulaPrice from 11 October 2026
kWh/yr = W × h/day × 365 ÷ 1000 kWh/yr = kWh per cycle × cycles per week × 52 cost = kWh/yr × price of 1 kWh
Your numbers
- Computer with monitor: 150 W × 8 h × 250 days ÷ 1000 = 300 kWh; 300 kWh × 1.04 PLN = about 312 PLN a year
- Electricity price
- 1.04 PLN/kWhURE G11 tariffs 2026 (PGE, Tauron, Enea, Energa), average with distribution
- Year
- 365 days, 52 weeks
- Rounding
- to 1 kWh a year, below 10 kWh to 0.1 kWh
An estimate. Fixed charges on the bill are not included. Appliances with a thermostat (fridge, oven, water heater) draw full power only part of the time, so label data works better for them.
How electricity, gas, pellet and coal prices have changed, month by month. Price history
Ready-made calculations
How to check what your computer draws
The power supply rating is the maximum the computer can draw, not its average use. For office work a desktop usually draws much less, and more when gaming. The most accurate way is a plug-in energy meter between the power strip and the socket: measure the computer together with the monitor over a typical day.
Remote work and your bill
At 8 hours a day and 250 working days a 150 W computer adds about 312 PLN a year to the bill, about 26 PLN a month. A computer drawing e.g. 300 W, e.g. for gaming or video editing, uses about 600 kWh in the same time, about 624 PLN.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an hour of computer use cost?
A computer with a monitor drawing 150 W uses 0.15 kWh an hour, about 0.16 PLN at 1.04 PLN/kWh. At 300 W about 0.31 PLN.
Does a computer in sleep mode use electricity?
Yes, but not much. Add up equipment in standby and sleep under Standby in the whole-house view, ideally after measuring with an energy meter.