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Measure the watts of every entertainment device

Guessing wattage leads to flat batteries. Measure each device so entertainment fits the solar budget.

How

1. Plug each device into an electricity usage monitor and read the watts while playing, and again in standby.
2. Daily energy = watts x hours used per day (divide by 1000 for kWh), per US DOE.
3. Check the nameplate rating too: DOE notes it is the maximum draw, and real use depends on settings such as screen brightness and volume.
4. Measure standby (phantom) draw. DOE notes many devices draw power when 'off'; a switched power strip cuts it.
5. Enter the results in the entertainment energy calculator and in the household load audit in power-1.

Do these first

• power-1

Sources

1. Estimating Appliance and Home Electronic Energy Use. US Department of Energy, Energy Saver, accessed 2026-11

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