entertainment · 30W typical
Running a cable/satellite box (dvr) costs about $3.56/month.
That's the typical cable/satellite box (dvr) at 30W, run 24 hours a day at the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh. Change any of those and the number moves — use the calculator below to see yours.
Estimated cost
Full-power draw for 24 hours at 16.5¢/kWh.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same cable/satellite box (dvr) can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
always-on DVR
$3.56
per month
cable boxes rarely truly power off
Where you live
$6.46 spread between the cheapest and priciest states.
Same appliance, same hours of use, different zip code — the monthly cost varies this much.
| State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 41.2¢ | $8.90 | $108.27 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $6.78 | $82.52 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $6.65 | $80.94 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $6.20 | $75.42 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $6.03 | $73.32 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $5.31 | $64.65 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $5.25 | $63.86 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $4.82 | $58.60 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $4.77 | $58.08 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $4.64 | $56.50 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $4.17 | $50.72 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $4.13 | $50.19 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $3.97 | $48.36 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $3.91 | $47.57 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $3.84 | $46.78 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $3.76 | $45.73 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $3.72 | $45.20 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $3.65 | $44.41 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $3.59 | $43.62 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $3.52 | $42.84 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $3.41 | $41.52 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $3.39 | $41.26 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $3.37 | $41.00 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $3.33 | $40.47 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $3.28 | $39.95 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $3.28 | $39.95 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $3.26 | $39.68 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $3.20 | $38.89 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $3.20 | $38.89 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $3.18 | $38.63 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $3.18 | $38.63 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $3.15 | $38.37 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $3.07 | $37.32 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $3.05 | $37.05 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $3.00 | $36.53 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $2.94 | $35.74 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $2.89 | $35.22 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $2.87 | $34.95 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $2.85 | $34.69 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $2.83 | $34.43 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $2.83 | $34.43 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $2.74 | $33.38 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $2.68 | $32.59 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $2.64 | $32.06 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $2.61 | $31.80 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $2.61 | $31.80 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $2.57 | $31.27 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $2.51 | $30.48 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $2.48 | $30.22 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $2.46 | $29.96 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $2.44 | $29.70 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $43.36/year difference across the wattage range.
Swapping a high-draw model for an efficient one pays for itself. Here's what that looks like annually at typical usage.
Most efficient
20W
$2.38 per month
$28.91 per year
Typical
30W
$3.56 per month
$43.36 per year
High draw
50W
$5.94 per month
$72.27 per year
When it hits hardest
year-round peak
Constant 24/7 draw.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Cut the cord — streaming uses 1/10 the watts of DVR
Saves 200-300 kWh/year
- 2
If keeping: use smart plug when going on vacation
Saves ~22 kWh per week you're away
- 3
Ask ISP for newer model — older DVRs draw 2-3x modern ones
Cuts 15-30 kWh/year
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | X1 XG1v4 | 35W |
| DirecTV | HR54 Genie | 40W |
| Spectrum | World Box 210 | 25W |
Picks that actually move the needle
Three products worth comparing if you're thinking about upgrading or supplementing what you have.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy, we may earn a small commission — it never changes the price you pay, and we only recommend picks we would stand behind.
See also
Related appliances
Sources: www.energy.gov · www.nrdc.org
Last updated: 2026-04-13