📡 Networking
How Many kWh Does a Cable Modem Use?
Cable Modem energy cost calculator — see your exact daily, monthly, and yearly electricity cost.
Rate — APRIL 2026
⚡ 8W typical
$
US national average. Edit for your local rate.
Daily Energy Use
0.19
kWh / day
Monthly Cost
$1.08
Yearly Cost
$13.20
Cable Modem — Cost Breakdown
| Period | kWh Used | Cost ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Per Hour | 0.0080 | $0.0015 |
| Per Day | 0.19 | $0.04 |
| Per Month (30 days) | 5.76 | $1.08 |
| Per Year (365 days) | 70.08 | $13.20 |
⚡ Real-World Comparison
Running a cable modem all day uses about the same energy as running a smart speaker for 32 hours.
3 Ways to Cut Your Cable Modem Energy Bill
- 🌱
Use a combo modem-router unit to eliminate the separate device's power draw entirely.
- 💡
Reboot monthly to clear memory leaks that can cause the processor to work harder and draw more power.
- ⚡
Place in a well-ventilated area — overheating causes the processor to throttle and consume more power to manage thermals.
Startup Surge Information
Cable modems are solid-state devices with no motors, drawing steady, low wattage at all times.