Desktop Computers: The Hidden Cost of Leaving Them On
As households brace for a predicted increase in energy bills this October, new analysis suggests that leaving a desktop computer running around the clock could be adding almost £230 a year to electricity costs.
E.ON Next has forecast that the October energy price cap could reach £1,725 for a typical household, an increase of £62 compared with the July 2026 cap. With the potential increase arriving just as households head into the colder months, the calculations suggest one overlooked home-office habit could be costing people significantly more than they realise.
Analysis from mini PC manufacturer GEEKOM found that a typical 150W desktop computer used for eight hours a day costs an estimated £114.36 a year in electricity. But leaving the same computer running around the clock increases that estimated cost to £343.09 a year. That's a difference of £228.73 every year, or more than £1,140 over five years, compared with switching the machine off outside an eight-hour working day.
The findings come from GEEKOM's PC Running Cost Calculator, which allows households to estimate how much their computer costs to run based on its power consumption, daily usage, and electricity tariff.
Max Tang, CMO of GEEKOM, said: "Energy bills are likely to be front of mind again as we head towards October and the colder months, but most people will immediately think about heating and large household appliances. The technology sitting on our desks is much easier to overlook."
Mr Tang added: "If you finish work at five or six o'clock but your desktop stays running all evening and overnight, you're using electricity for hours when it's not needed."
With working from home, gaming, and everyday browsing meaning computers are now used for hours at a time in many households, experts say it's easy to forget how long devices remain powered after they're actually needed. And switching off the monitor doesn't necessarily mean the computer itself has stopped consuming electricity.
The Cost Breakdown of Different Devices
GEEKOM's analysis also compared the annual running costs of different types of computers, based on eight hours of use per day. A 50W laptop costs around £38.12 a year to run, while a 25W mini PC costs approximately £19.06. This compares with the £114.36 annual cost for the 150W desktop, representing a potential difference of around £95 a year between the desktop and mini PC scenarios.
For those using a 150W desktop for eight hours every day, the five-year cost of powering the computer alone could reach around £572. For a machine left running continuously, that figure rises to more than £1,715.
How to Reduce Your Computer's Energy Use
GEEKOM has recommended seven ways households can cut computer electricity costs, starting with simply switching the device off when finished. Checking the device's sleep settings is also advised, as is ensuring that turning off the monitor doesn't leave the main unit still drawing power. Using power-saving settings, reducing screen brightness, considering energy efficiency when buying new hardware, and checking the power draw of peripherals are all suggested ways to bring costs down.
The exact cost of running a computer will vary depending on the device, how long it's used each day, and the household's electricity tariff.
Mr Tang said: "Most people will immediately think about heating and large household appliances [when it comes to energy bills], but the technology sitting on our desks is much easier to overlook. It's worth taking five minutes to check your computer's power settings — it could save you a significant amount of money over the year."