By: The BitMar Team.
Streaming has become an integral part of our lives, as we increasingly rely on digital platforms to consume media content. Regardless of which streaming services we use, we are all guilty of binge-watching our favorite shows, and movies—from time, to time. However, one question that often goes unnoticed, is: how much power – or, electricity – does streaming consume? In this article, we will explore the energy consumption of the act of streaming – just for fun.
Foremost, understanding why streaming requires so much energy, is essential. The energy consumption of streaming is mainly attributed to the vast infrastructure required to support the service. This infrastructure includes data centers, servers, and networks, that process and transmit data. These facilities consume a considerable amount of electricity.
The exact amount of power consumed, by streaming, varies; depending on several factors—such, as: the video resolution, device used, and the streaming service. For example: streaming a movie, in HD resolution, consumes more energy than streaming the same movie in standard definition. Likewise, using a smartphone, or laptop, to stream, consumes less energy than using a larger TV screen.
According to a report, published in June, 2019, by the Natural Resources Defense Council, titled: "Streaming Video: A Climate of Change," the act of streaming carries a different energy price-tag, depending on the device/s involved:
The Energy Cost of Streaming, on a Smartphone, is: About $0.30 - $1.80, Per Year:
Streaming video, in standard definition, on a smartphone, consumes: between two and five kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, per year – which translates, to: approximately between thirty and seventy-five cents, in energy costs. On the other hand, streaming HD video, on a smartphone, consumes: between five and twelve kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, per year—costing: approximately between seventy-five to one dollar and eighty cents, in energy costs.
The Energy Cost of Streaming, on a Laptop, is: About $1 - $12, Per Year:
Streaming video, in high definition, on a laptop, consumes: between thirty and ninety kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, per year—which translates, to: approximately four to twelve dollars, in energy costs. However, streaming video, in standard definition, on a laptop, consumes: between thirty and ninety kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, per year. This translates, to: approximately one to four dollars, in energy costs.
The Energy Cost of Streaming, on a TV, is: About $1 - $17, Per Year:
Streaming HD video, on a TV, consumes: between sixty, and one-hundred and thirty kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, per year—costing, approximately: eight to seventeen dollars, in energy costs. In contrast, streaming standard definition video consumes considerably less energy – costing: between one and four dollars, per year.
The Energy Cost of Streaming – in General – is: About $0.30 - $17, Per Year:
Taking into account the aforementioned pricing information, we can clearly see that the lowest price, is: thirty cents—while the highest price, is: seventeen dollars. Therefore, we can conclude that the general price of streaming, is: between thirty cents and seventeen dollars, per year. However, renewable sources of energy are expected to significantly drive down the current cost of power, in the upcoming years; as generating electricity will eventually require less work, and less resources.
Next-generation streaming platforms – like: BitMar – may provide you the most affordable form of on-demand streaming entertainment. BitMar provides all-in-one streaming service, for life, for a one-time payment. It can connect you to millions of on-demand movies, TV shows, channels, videos, and songs (from many different sources on the Web), on the screens that you already own. In fact, BitMar provides access to more movies, and TV shows, than: Cable, Satellite, Netflix, Disney Plus, Max/HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Peacock, and Hulu – combined – and more songs, than: Pandora, Spotify, Amazon Prime Music, and Apple Music—combined. You may learn more, at: BitMar.com/.