How Much Power Does a Modem and Router Use: Energy Tips

Hello reader! Do you want to know how much power does a modem and router use? So, this article is only for you. Modems and routers are two such components that are essential to your home networks.

Typically, routers and modems consume between 2 and 20 watts of electricity. Different routers and modems use different amounts of electricity depending on the brand and kind of router and modem you are using. Your router and modem may only use 2W if it is a typical single-brand router with a small range. It might need between 15 and 20 watts if your router is more potent.

Read this article till the end to learn more about routers and modems, the power consumption of modems, and how much power does a modem and router use. You can also learn about the tips and techniques for improving the energy efficiency of your modem and router. Don’t forget to look at the FAQ section.

Table of Contents

Router and Modem

Before we get into the specifics of energy usage, you must understand the responsibilities of modems and routers in your home network.

Modem: A modem (short for modulator-demodulator) is a device that links your house to your ISP. It is in charge of transforming digital data from your internet service provider into a format that your device can interpret.

Depending on your internet connection, you can choose between DSL, cable, fiber, or satellite modems.

Router: A router is a device that enables communication between various devices connected to the house network while connecting to the internet with the modem. Routers provide characteristics including wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi) and ethernet ports for wired communication.

Modem Power Consumption

Although modems and routers are frequently low-power equipment, their energy usage can accumulate over time. Several variables, such as the device’s make and model, the technology it employs, and your usage patterns, affect the precise amount of power consumption. Consider the following essential details:

Active vs. Idle mode: The main operating methods for modems and routers are idle and active. These devices use less power while inactive, with little to no network activity. They use more energy while actively delivering data or when supporting several devices.
Router attributes: Parental restrictions, guest networks, and advanced features like Quality of Service (QoS) can all increase how much power does a modem and router use. Some routers offer energy-saving functions that automatically lower power consumption while they are not in use.
Wired vs. wireless: Wireless routers need more electricity to transfer data when connecting devices using wired Ethernet connections instead of Wi-Fi.
Type of Modem: Power use may vary depending on the type of modem you use. For instance, outdated DSL modems could use more energy than current cable or fiber modems.
Model and age: Older modems and routers may be less energy efficient than newer devices with energy-saving capabilities.
Manufacturer Preferences: It is common for manufacturers to provide options to manage how much power does a modem and router use. The use of energy can be decreased with these options.
24 hours a Day: Some users always leave their modems and routers on for convenience. However, this continuous functioning could use more energy than necessary.

How much power does a modem and router use

You can do the following actions to obtain a precise estimate of how much power does a modem and router use:

Examine the labels: Most modems and routers feature tags that describe their power usage. Look for the product’s Wattage (W) or amperage (A) rating.
Use a power meter: You may measure how much power does a modem and router use over time without labels if you want or need a more accurate measurement.
Calculate Daily and Monthly Use: You determine how much power does a modem and router use daily and monthly energy use using the power rating and the number of hours the devices use

For instance, if your router uses 10 watts and is on all day, every day, you would use 240 watt-hours (Wh). You may calculate the monthly use by the number of days a month, usually 30 and 31. You can easily calculate a Wi-Fi router’s electricity usage with this website.

Energy saving Tips

Let’s now examine some doable strategies for improving the energy efficiency of your modem and router.

Hardware Upgrading: Upgrade to more recent modems and routers with less energy and cutting-edge power-saving capabilities. You can refer to this article for the newest routers.
Update to firmware: Update the firmware on your modem and router regularly to check how much power does a modem and router use. Updates from manufacturers frequently feature energy-saving adjustments as well as performance upgrades. For a detailed overview of how to upgrade firmware on a router, check this out.
Turn off: You should consider shutting off your modem and router while not in use, such as at night or when you are away from home if you do not require constant access to the internet.
Use smart plugs or timers.: You may use timers or smart plugs to arrange when your modem and router switch on and off automatically. This is extremely helpful if you want them off at certain hours.

FAQs

How many watts does a cable modem use?

A router typically consumes 6 watts. According to the manufacturer, size, and other variables, your cable modem power consumption may vary. The user handbook or the equipment will usually have the watts of your router listed.

How many watts of power does an internet modem consume?

Modern routers and modems are one unit; they are no longer two distinct devices. As a result, the information we have provided includes the router's overall current usage. Routers typically consume between 2 and 20 watts of electricity.

How much power does a modem use?

Due to the lack of moving components and common solid-state design of Wi-Fi routers, they usually consume relatively little energy. They are frequently left on round the clock to give continuous internet access. An average Wi-Fi router uses 6 watts, although they may use anywhere from 2 to 20 watts.

How many watts does a modem and router use?

Typically, routers consume between 2 and 20 watts of electricity. Different routers use different amounts of electricity depending on the brand and kind of router you are using. Your router may only use 2W if it is a typical single-brand router with a small range. It might need between 15 and 20 watts if your router is more potent.

Conclusion

After reading this article, you must know how much power a modem and router uses. For prudent and effective energy management, the tips and techniques provided in this article can help you stay smoothly connected to the digital world while lowering energy costs and promoting a sustainable and environmentally responsible future. To access the enormous digital universe, modems and routers act as silent gatekeepers. Although these devices are necessary for our everyday online activity, it is essential to understand how much power does a modem and router use and how to control it effectively.

Jonathan Greig

Jonathan Greig is a freelance journalist based in New York City. He recently returned to the United States after reporting from South Africa, Jordan, and Cambodia since 2013.