How Many Watts Does a WIFI Router Use?

The humble WiFi router runs constantly in most homes, providing that essential wireless internet connectivity. But with the router plugged in and running 24/7, the energy costs can really add up over time.

Most people don't think twice about the energy consumption and costs associated with their WiFi router. It's easy to overlook as a source of electrical usage and expense. But calculating your router's energy requirements is an important first step in reducing your energy bill and overall environmental impact.

Knowing exactly how much power your router uses, and how much that costs per year, provides actionable data to help lower energy usage. You can then make informed decisions about managing router energy use, like turning it off when not needed or exploring more efficient router options.

How Many Watts Do Routers Use?

WiFi routers can vary significantly in how much power they consume, depending on the size, features, and efficiency of the router. For standard home routers, power consumption generally ranges from 5-20 watts. More advanced routers with extra capabilities like mesh networking or additional antennas may use even more power.

The wattage requirements can fluctuate based on what the router is actively doing at any given time. Streaming video or gaming uses more processing power and bandwidth from the router, temporarily increasing energy consumption. Even idle routers use a minimum level of power to broadcast the wireless signal and keep connected devices ready to use the network.

Understanding how many watts your router uses is an important first step in managing its energy impact. While routers use less power than large appliances, their constant operation can add up over time. Knowing the typical wattage range gives you a baseline to compare your specific router against.

Factors That Affect Wattage

The wattage of a WiFi router can vary greatly depending on the features and capabilities of the specific model. Some key factors that affect a router's power consumption include:

• Mesh networking - Mesh routers use multiple access points to blanket a home in WiFi coverage. This requires more power, often 15-30W.

• Bandwidth - Routers with higher bandwidth like the latest WiFi 6 (802.11ax) standard tend to use more power than older WiFi 5 and below. More antennas needed.

• Ports - The more ethernet LAN ports a router has, the more power it will draw to run them. Gigabit LAN ports use about 0.5W each.

• USB ports - Adding USB ports to share files and printers adds roughly 2-3W per port to power requirements.

• Processor - Higher performance CPUs like quad core will use more electricity than budget models.

• Brand - Premium brands often have beefier specs. For example, Linksys and Netgear routers use more power than cheaper brands on average.

• Size - In general, the bigger the router, the higher the power needs. Mini and wall plug routers tend to be lower wattage.

So while the typical router is 5-15W, premium models with maximum features can be 20W or even higher. But extra capabilities come at an energy cost.

Typical Home Router Wattage

The majority of standard home WiFi routers fall within a wattage range of 5-20W. While there are some low power and high power outliers, most common models consume around 10W during normal operation.

Wattage of Cable Modems

Cable modems are another common home networking device that draws continuous power. The wattage of cable modems covers a wide range, depending on the age and model.

Older cable modems use anywhere from 15-35 watts. This is due to less advanced components and inefficient power supplies. Newer DOCSIS 3.1 cable modems average around 6-12 watts. However, this can go as high as 20 watts under peak usage.

In general, a modern high-speed cable modem will use less than 15 watts continuously. Checking your specific modem's power rating is advised, as the wattage range is so variable. Newer modems also have energy efficiency and sleep modes to save power when inactive.

Replacing an outdated modem with a more efficient DOCSIS 3.1 model is one way to reduce networking power costs. But the wattage range makes it hard to pinpoint exact savings. Just know that in general, a newer cable modem will use less than half the power of a model over 5 years old.

12V Router Wattage Calculation

Many WiFi routers are labeled as 12V, which refers to the voltage they require. However, the voltage alone does not determine the wattage and energy usage. To find the power consumption, you need to know the amperage rating as well.

For a 12V router, use the following formula:

Watts = Volts x Amps

So a 12V router that draws 0.5A would be:

Watts = 12 x 0.5 = 6 Watts

The amperage may be labeled on the router, but if not, you'd need to look it up in the specifications. While the voltage remains steady at 12V, the amps drawn can vary greatly depending on the router model and features. So two 12V routers could consume very different wattages.

The takeaway is that for 12V routers, you can't rely only on the voltage to determine power draw. Multiplying the volts and amps is necessary to find the true wattage.

Calculating Usage Costs

To calculate how much it costs to run your router, you first need to know the average electricity rates in your area. The national average is around 13 cents per kWh, but this can vary widely by state and utility provider.

For example, let's calculate the annual cost of running a 10W router in Florida, where electricity rates average around 11 cents per kWh:

• Watts: 10
• Hours used per day: 24
• Days used per year: 365

1. First, convert watts to kWh:
   • 10W * 24 hrs/day = 240 Wh (watt-hours) per day
   • 240 Wh / 1000 = 0.24 kWh per day
2. Then multiply by electricity rate:
   • 0.24 kWh * $0.11 per kWh = $0.026 per day
3. Finally, multiply by days used per year:
   • $0.026 per day * 365 days = $9.49 per year

So in Florida, running a typical 10W router nonstop for a full year costs around $9.49. Of course, this is just an estimate - your actual costs may vary depending on your specific router, usage patterns, and electricity rates. But it gives you a rough idea of the annual operating costs.

Usage Cost Variance By State

The cost to run a WiFi router varies significantly across the United States based on differences in average electricity rates by state. States with higher electricity costs like California and New York can expect to pay nearly double the cost of running a router compared to states with lower energy costs.

For example, in California the average electricity rate is around 20 cents per kWh. With a 10W router running 24 hours a day, the estimated annual cost would be approximately $21. California's rates are among the highest in the continental US.

In contrast, states like Louisiana, Idaho, and Utah have average electricity rates of only 10 cents per kWh. The yearly cost to run that same 10W router would be around $10.50.

Other states with high energy costs that could expect to pay more include Hawaii, Alaska, New England states like Massachusetts and Connecticut, and Mid-Atlantic states like New Jersey and Maryland.

When calculating your router's operating costs, be sure to check your local state and utility's average electricity rate rather than relying on national averages. The variance between states means router costs in high-price states can be double that of low-price states. Selecting an energy efficient router becomes even more important in states with higher electricity rates.

Annual Usage Cost Examples

A 10 watt router running 24 hours a day for 365 days will use 87.6 kWh of electricity per year (10W x 24 hrs x 365 days / 1000 to convert to kWh).

With the average electricity rate in the United States being 13.6 cents per kWh, that equals $11.90 per year to run a 10W router (87.6 kWh x $0.136 per kWh).

Of course electricity rates vary significantly by state. Some examples:

• California - 19.9 cents per kWh, so a 10W router would cost $17.42 annually
• New York - 20.7 cents per kWh, so $18.11 per year
• Florida - 11.5 cents per kWh, so $10.07 per year
• Texas - 11.6 cents per kWh, so $10.16 per year

While not a huge part of your electricity bill, a few easy changes could reduce a router's energy use over the years.

Finding Your Router's Wattage

To find out how many watts your specific router is using, you'll need to look at the amps and volts. Check the label on your router's power brick or the specs in the user manual to find the amperage and voltage.

For example, if your router uses 1.5 amps at 12 volts, you can calculate the wattage as:

Watts = Amps x Volts
Watts = 1.5 x 12
Watts = 18

So in this example, the router uses 18 watts.

If your router doesn't list the amps or volts, you may be able to find the wattage directly listed instead. But knowing the amps and volts allows you to calculate watts yourself.

Keep in mind that the listed wattage is typically the maximum draw, and real-world usage may be lower on average. But using the maximum spec gives you a worst case number for calculations.

Knowing your router's wattage is the starting point to estimate energy usage and costs. With this key number, you can take steps to reduce your router's impact.

Calculating kWh Usage

To determine the energy usage of your router, you first need to know the wattage. Then you can use a simple formula:

Watts x Hours / 1000 = kWh

For example, if your router uses 10 watts and is left on 24 hours a day, multiply:

10 watts x 24 hours = 240 watt-hours

240 watt-hours / 1000 = 0.24 kWh

So in this example, the router uses 0.24 kWh per day.

To find the total yearly usage, simply multiply the daily kWh by 365 days.

0.24 kWh x 365 days = 87.6 kWh per year

So a 10 watt router left on continuously would use 87.6 kWh in a year.

You can use this Watts x Hours formula to calculate the usage for any appliance. Just be sure you have the accurate wattage and estimated hours used.

Determining Yearly kWh

To determine the total yearly energy usage of your router, you first need to calculate the daily energy usage in kWh. Then multiply this by the estimated number of hours your router is on per year.

For example, if your router uses 10W and is on 24 hours a day, the calculation would be:

• Watts: 10
• Daily kWh: 10W * 24 hrs / 1000 = 0.24 kWh
• Estimated annual usage: 365 * 0.24 kWh = 87.60 kWh

So for a 10W router running 24/7, the yearly energy usage would be around 87.6 kWh.

If your router usage is less than 24/7, adjust the annual hours accordingly. For example, if it's on 12 hrs a day:

• Daily kWh: 10W * 12 hrs / 1000 = 0.12 kWh
• Annual hours: 365 * 0.12 kWh = 43.80 kWh

So reducing usage hours cuts the annual energy consumption in half. Calculate your router's actual annual runtime to get the most accurate yearly energy usage.

Energy Saving Tips

There are several easy ways to reduce the energy consumption of your WiFi router:

• Turn off when not in use - Simply switching off your router when you leave the house or go to bed can make a noticeable difference in power usage over time. Even in sleep mode, routers still draw some power.

• Enable power saving settings - Most routers have settings to reduce power usage, like turning off LED lights and enabling sleep/hibernation mode when inactive. Enabling these can save energy without sacrificing performance.

• Replace with an Energy Star model - If buying a new router, look for the Energy Star logo, as these models are optimized for lower energy consumption while inactive. Models with MU-MIMO and beamforming use less power.

• Use a timer switch - Use an external timer switch or smart plug to automatically turn your router on and off during set times. This ensures it's only on when needed.

• Keep it cool and dust-free - Routers function less efficiently when hot or clogged with dust. Keep it in a cool spot and clean it regularly.

• Consider solar power - For total energy independence, use a compact solar panel setup to power your router. This also serves as emergency backup power.

With some simple adjustments, you can reduce your router's energy drain and cut costs without impacting performance. Small changes add up over time for a greener home.

More Efficient Router Options

When shopping for a new router, look for models that are designed for low power usage. Newer routers are much more efficient than routers from 5 or 10 years ago.

Many of the latest routers have a "green" or eco mode that reduces power usage when traffic is low. Enabling these settings can provide energy savings without sacrificing performance.

The important things to compare are the size, speed, features, and power usage. With more focus on efficiency, most modern routers can deliver strong performance at 10 watts or below.

Buying a new energy-efficient model amortized over several years is often cheaper than constantly running an outdated high-wattage router. Plus it reduces environmental impact.

Using Solar Power

Solar power offers a clean, renewable way to eliminate the energy costs of running your WiFi router. By pairing your router with a portable solar generator, you can harness free sunlight to power your network.

Portable solar generators like the Growatt are designed for off-grid powering of small electronics and appliances. With an output of 600W to 2000W, they can easily handle powering a router that only draws 10-20W.

The benefit of using a solar generator is that you store the sun's energy in a built-in battery, so you have continuous clean power day and night. Once fully charged by the sun, Growatt solar generator can provide multiple days of power to a router before needing a recharge.

Solar generators can be charged by plugging into the wall, but work best when paired with one or more portable solar panels. This allows you to power your router purely on sunlight, eliminating electrical costs completely. Just place the panel in a sunny spot for a few hours per day to top up your generator battery.

With built-in outlets and WiFi connectivity, Growatt portable power stations make it simple to connect your router directly. You get reliable internet powered sustainably by the sun, for a one-time equipment cost.

Conclusion

In conclusion, WiFi routers are an often overlooked energy user in most homes. While a router's power draw is relatively small compared to larger appliances, optimizing and reducing that energy use can still lead to significant savings over time.