Power is not energy
Power draw is measured in watts, while billed energy is commonly measured in kilowatt-hours, or kWh. Divide watts by 1,000 to obtain kilowatts, then multiply by the operating hours. This gives energy for a constant-power scenario.
Multiplying energy by a price per kWh estimates the energy charge, not necessarily the whole bill. Tariffs can include time-dependent prices, demand charges, fixed fees, taxes, and other terms. Cooling, networking, and idle consumption may need separate measurements.
Step-by-step
- Gather the draw. Use a measured sustained input power where available. Record whether the value includes the power supply and which operating mode was active.
- Gather the tariff and hours. Copy the relevant energy rate with currency and units. Model actual runtime rather than silently assuming continuous operation.
- Add the missing costs. Include auxiliary energy and applicable bill components separately. Reconcile the estimate against suitable metering after operation starts.
Worked example
Illustrative example. At a hypothetical constant 3,000 W for 24 hours, energy is 3 kW × 24 h = 72 kWh. At USD 0.10/kWh, the miner-only energy charge is USD 7.20/day.
This example excludes cooling, fixed charges, demand charges, and taxes. A 30-day scenario consumes 2,160 kWh if the same power and runtime persist.
Common mistakes
- Multiplying watts directly by a kWh price without conversion.
- Calling a miner-only estimate the entire site bill.
- Using a headline tariff that excludes relevant charges.
Questions and answers
Does lower uptime reduce every charge proportionally?
No. Runtime can reduce active energy, but fixed charges and standby consumption may remain. Demand charges also depend on their tariff-defined measurement, not simply monthly operating hours.
Apply this to your setup
Keep watts, hours, currency per kWh, included loads, and billing exclusions in one worksheet. Verify the watts-to-kilowatts conversion before annualizing. Use a separate line for auxiliaries rather than hiding them in a guessed percentage. A usable estimate should state both its energy total and the charges it does not include.
Sources and next steps
Use the electricity cost and tariff planner to compare rates, cooling load, demand charges, and fixed fees. Then read tariff checks to verify how your utility applies them.
How this guide was prepared: AI-generated drafting with the linked technical references and illustrative calculations. It does not report first-hand equipment tests or a named specialist review.