Average operational cost of PC (Page 2): Not sure what you are specifically referring to. Aside from new software and electricity, zero. But a PC does have a finite useful life of...

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

warrior wrote:

Would like to hear from hoggers what Is the average yearly cost of operating a PC?

Not sure what you are specifically referring to. Aside from new software and electricity, zero. But a PC does have a finite useful life of perhaps 5-6 years if you plan on always using the latest software version and want to continue get fast response. I always upgrade to the most current version of software i use so the software cost can easily be a few hundred dollars or more a year.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

warrior wrote:

Would like to hear from hoggers what Is the average yearly cost of operating a PC?

I would have to say the capital depreciation on the equipment would far exceed the electrical operating costs. Computer power supplies are mostly rated in the 200-400 watt range. That assumes your computer is sitting there using everything to the max (maybe mining bitcoin). If you're like all the rest of us, you use the computer a few hours a day so you do not sustain that power usage continually. The rest of the time the computer is off or in a power saving mode.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

DirtFarmer wrote:

I would have to say the capital depreciation on the equipment would far exceed the electrical operating costs. Computer power supplies are mostly rated in the 200-400 watt range. That assumes your computer is sitting there using everything to the max (maybe mining bitcoin). If you're like all the rest of us, you use the computer a few hours a day so you do not sustain that power usage continually. The rest of the time the computer is off or in a power saving mode.

My household computers, I have 3 of them, are mostly on 24/7. They are rebooted approximately once every week or so, for a variety of reasons, often software updates. Only our portable computers, which are only in use periodically, are kept turned off on a regular basis.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

That cost is substantial over a year for just those devices. But not if you run a cost/benefit analysis I would think. BTW, why is that day trader leaving his desk anyway for that long?

TonyBot wrote:

A good friend is a "day trader", working at home, and has two computers, both with four screens going, 24/7. When he went away for a week, he just said "let 'em sleep - all together, they only cost about seventy five cents a day to operate". Knowing how this guy was with money, it was probably pretty accurate.

EdJ0307 Loc: out west someplace

jerryc41 wrote:

On my last bill, the actual cost was $0.27 per kWh. It doesn't matter what the company lists as the per kWh charge. Divide the total cost by the amount of electricity used.

$0.27 per kWh seems kind of steep to me. Using your formula, total cost divided by electricity used, by electric cost comes out to 13.4¢ per hour and they keep telling us we have some of the priciest electric rates in the country.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Seriously?

Dale40203 Loc: Louisville, KY

I bought an electricity monitoring device (Kill-a-Watt) before buying a new refrigerator years ago. I wanted to see how much it was costing to run the old refrigerator and compare it to the new purchase. You can pick these up under different names for about $25. Once you have it you'll find plenty of appliances you want to monitor. Simple to use and versatile. Check Walmart.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

warrior wrote:

Would like to hear from hoggers what Is the average yearly cost of operating a PC?

How would having a number affect your life??

aellman Loc: Boston MA

warrior wrote:

Would like to hear from hoggers what Is the average yearly cost of operating a PC?

A typical laptop uses very little power; about the same as one 60 watt light bulb. If you're talking about only AC power,
in my area (Boston) the annual cost would be about $12. If you want the total cost, divide the purchase price by the
expected life span in years, add warranty, service contract etc., and the electricity. Or if you want to get technical, use
a depreciation schedule. >Alan

aellman Loc: Boston MA

EdJ0307 wrote:

$0.27 per kWh seems kind of steep to me. Using your formula, total cost divided by electricity used, by electric cost comes out to 13.4¢ per hour and they keep telling us we have some of the priciest electric rates in the country.

Electric rate in Boston is approx $0.13 per KwH, which comes out to about $13 per year
if you run a typical 15" laptop 4 hours a day. Hardly an expense worth your concern. >Alan

lsimpkins Loc: SE Pennsylvania

EdJ0307 wrote:

$0.27 per kWh seems kind of steep to me. Using your formula, total cost divided by electricity used, by electric cost comes out to 13.4¢ per hour and they keep telling us we have some of the priciest electric rates in the country.

I'm running just over $0.15 per kWhr using the same calculation. I've actually been tracking my bills and consumption since 1979. Back then it was about $0.05 per kWhr. Aren't spreadsheets great?

aellman Loc: Boston MA

lsimpkins wrote:

I'm running just over $0.15 per kWhr using the same calculation. I've actually been tracking my bills and consumption since 1979. Back then it was about $0.05 per kWhr. Aren't spreadsheets great?

Love that Excel. Been using it since it was created. >Alan

Erdos2 Loc: Vancouver, WA

When figuring cost of the electricity, you should look at the "net" cost. In a home, all that electricity entering the PC goes into heating the home. This lowers the cost of adding heat in the home (in the winter, especially in the northern states for the USA). But then in the summer it raises the cost to remove the heat. (cost of the electricity doubled plus additional cost from efficiency of cooling costs) All a matter of how much of the year you heat vs cool the home. It is also a good reason to turn off devices not being used in the summer.