Home NAS and Plex servers run 24/7/365, making even modest power consumption add up over time. A typical Synology or QNAP NAS draws 30-60W, costing $38-76 annually - but many users don't realize each additional hard drive adds 5-8W to their baseline consumption.
Adjust the settings below to see real-time cost estimates for your Home NAS Server
Check your device label or manual for wattage
Default: $0.16/kWh (America average)
⚠️ These are estimates based on continuous usage at the specified wattage. Actual costs may vary based on usage patterns, thermostat cycling, and local electricity rates.
Average running costs for a 45W Home NAS Server at $0.16/kWh (US average)
| Usage | Energy (kWh) | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Hour | 0.04 | $0.007 |
| 8 Hours/Day | 0.36 | $0.06 |
| Per Month (30 days) | 10.80 | $1.73 |
| Per Year (365 days) | 131.40 | $21.02 |
* Based on 8 hours daily usage. Use the calculator above for your specific usage pattern.
Enable HDD hibernation mode - drives spin down after 30 minutes of inactivity, reducing power by 30-40% during idle periods
Use SSDs instead of HDDs for frequently accessed data - a 5W SSD vs 8W HDD saves $3/year per drive (adds up with multiple drives)
Schedule intensive tasks (backups, Plex optimization) during off-peak hours if you have time-of-use electricity rates
A typical 4-bay NAS (like Synology DS920+) uses about 45W with 4 HDDs, costing approximately $63/year at $0.16/kWh. This breaks down to $5.25/month or about $0.17/day. Each additional hard drive adds roughly $5-7 per year.
Absolutely. A dedicated NAS uses 30-60W compared to 100-300W for a desktop PC. Running a NAS costs $38-76/year vs $140-420/year for a PC. The NAS pays for itself in energy savings within 2-3 years if replacing an always-on PC.