📶 Wi-Fi router

How much electricity does a Wi-Fi router use running 24/7?

Electricity use of a Wi-Fi router running around the clock, with fibre ONT and mesh systems, and yearly cost.

Typical power

10 W

Cost per hour

$0.002 · £0.003

Per year · 88 kWh

$16 · £23

With 24 hours a day, electricity at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh all-in.

A router uses little, 8–15 W, but it’s on 24/7: that’s 70–130 kWh a year, as much as a TV on four hours a day.

You can switch it off at night with a timer, but that cuts the landline, alarms and updates: scheduling Wi-Fi off from the router’s settings is often better.

Consumption compared

TypeUsagekWh/yearCost/year
Fibre router10 W88$16 · £23
Router + ONT (FTTH fibre)15 W131$24 · £34
3-node mesh system25 W219$39 · £57

Yearly cost with 24 hours a day.

Work out your cost

Per hour
$0.002
Per month
$1.31
Per year
$16
Energy per year
87.6 kWh

The price is a typical all-in figure for your country: replace it with yours (bill total ÷ kWh).

How to use less

  • Turn on Wi-Fi scheduling or eco mode in the router settings.
  • With a mesh system, switch off nodes in rooms you don’t use.
  • Keep router and ONT on their own socket: they’re the only things that need to stay on.
Lower-energy modelsCompare prices and energy labels on AmazonAmazon ↗

FAQ

How much electricity does a Wi-Fi router use running 24/7?
About 10 W, or 0 kWh for each hour of use; from 4 to 35 W depending on the model.
How much does it cost per year?
With 24 hours a day it uses about 88 kWh a year: about $16 · £23 at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh.
How can I reduce it?
Turn on Wi-Fi scheduling or eco mode in the router settings. With a mesh system, switch off nodes in rooms you don’t use.
🔌GuideStandby power: what always-on devices really cost

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