electronics · 25W typical
Running a flatbed/document scanner costs about $0.00/month.
That's the typical flatbed/document scanner at 25W, run 0.02 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 0.02 hours at 16.5¢/kWh.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same flatbed/document scanner can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
occasional scan
$0.00
per month
1 min/day averaged
plugged-in standby
$2.97
per month
USB-powered idle 1-3W
Where you live
$0.00 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¢ | $0.01 | $0.08 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $0.00 | $0.06 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $0.00 | $0.06 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $0.00 | $0.05 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $0.00 | $0.05 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $0.00 | $0.04 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $0.00 | $0.04 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $0.00 | $0.04 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $0.00 | $0.04 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $0.00 | $0.04 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $0.00 | $0.04 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $0.00 | $0.02 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $0.00 | $0.02 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $0.00 | $0.02 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $0.00 | $0.02 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $0.00 | $0.02 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $0.00 | $0.02 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $0.00 | $0.02 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $0.00 | $0.02 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $0.00 | $0.02 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $0.00 | $0.02 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $0.00 | $0.02 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $0.00 | $0.02 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $0.00 | $0.02 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $0.00 | $0.02 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $0.00 | $0.02 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $0.00 | $0.02 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $0.06/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
3W
$0.00 per month
$0.00 per year
Typical
25W
$0.00 per month
$0.03 per year
High draw
50W
$0.00 per month
$0.06 per year
When it hits hardest
year-round peak
Light constant use.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Use USB-powered scanners instead of AC-powered
Eliminates 1-3W continuous standby
- 2
Unplug after use
Saves 5-15 kWh/year
- 3
Smartphone scan apps (Scanner Pro, Adobe Scan) eliminate the device entirely
Zero energy for occasional scans
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Epson | WorkForce ES-400 II | 25W |
| Fujitsu | ScanSnap iX1600 | 35W |
| Canon | CanoScan LiDE 400 | 7W |
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.energystar.gov · www.energy.gov
Last updated: 2026-04-13