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The hidden costs of remote work: How much does your computer consume?

It’s no secret that remote work is becoming increasingly popular across various companies and public institutions. This work mode requires us to use a computer from home to communicate with the office. But have you ever stopped to think about the actual cost of using your computer?

remote work
Susanna Marsiglia

For many businesses and public institutions, telecommuting became the norm in the wake of the health crisis. During this challenging time, numerous employers found that their employees were more productive when working from home. However, this work mode does come with additional costs, especially an increased electricity consumption. After all, you often need to light up your workspace, heat your room, and power your computer.

How much electricity does a computer consume?

The primary concern here is to shed light on the costs associated with using computer equipment for remote work. However, the electricity consumption of computers varies based on several factors. Laptops, equipped with chargers, don’t need to be plugged in continuously, unlike a conventional desktop computer. In the case of laptops, chargers typically demand between 20 and 60 watts per hour.

On the other hand, a desktop "tower" can consume up to 200 watts per hour and usually needs to remain plugged in throughout the work duration. The annual cost difference between these two types of computers is significant: from around thirty euros for laptops to over a hundred for desktops!

Given this, many companies offer compensation to their employees in the form of a fixed allowance. This is typically granted on a monthly basis and paid alongside the salary. If you’re curious about such compensations, don’t hesitate to reach out to your employer or human resources department for more information.

Written by

Jean Philippe Roisin

Content Expert

Jean-Philippe Roisin has been working in digital marketing and content creation, serving as the Digital Marketing Manager at Immovlan.be since January 2018. Living in Brussels, Belgium, he has contributed to the content development of Gocar.be and Immovlan.be, aiming to improve audience engagement through digital content. Jean-Philippe is also the owner of Good to Great, a role he has held since January 2011, where he supports various businesses, from startups to established companies, in reaching their digital marketing objectives. His time at Gocar.be, until December 2020, coincided with a period of growth for the platform, helping to enhance its position in Belgium's automotive industry.