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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Cable or Fiber Modem in California? (2026)
A modem runs all day at 5 to 15 watts. Combined with a separate router the pair uses around 15 to 25 watts continuously, roughly 150 to 200 kWh a year.
A typical cable or fiber modem (8 W) costs $0.003 per hour, or about $2.02 per month at 24 hours a day in California. Cheap to run
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (5 W) | $0.002 | $0.042 | $1.26 | $15.33 |
| Typical (8 W) | $0.003 | $0.067 | $2.02 | $24.53 |
| High (15 W) | $0.005 | $0.13 | $3.78 | $45.99 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 24 h/day ≈ 70 kWh per year.
In California, with electricity at $0.35 per kWh (source: EIA Table 5.6.A, 2026-06), a typical cable or fiber modem costs $0.003 per hour and about $24.53 per year at 24 hours a day. That is about 94% more than the US national average of $1.04 per month, because electricity in California costs $0.35 per kWh against $0.18 nationally. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 357.1 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a cable or fiber modem
- Replace a separate modem and router with a combined gateway to halve the draw.
- Do not turn it off at night. Reconnection delays are rarely worth the small saving.
- Retire old network gear. Older units often use double the power of current ones.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a modem use per month?
Around 6 kWh a month at 8 watts continuous.
Is it worth turning off the modem at night?
It saves about 2 to 3 kWh a month. Most people find it not worth the hassle.
Do fiber ONTs use less power than cable modems?
Usually a little less, typically 5 to 8 watts.
Cost by region
- United States (average)
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Canada (average)
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Australia
- India