How much does it cost to run a security camera?
Security cameras are always-on devices designed to monitor your property continuously, capturing video day and night without ever powering down. Unlike appliances you turn on and off, they draw power every single day of the year, making their modest 5-watt draw surprisingly significant over time.
Security Camera running cost calculator
- Per day
- $0.02
- Per month
- $0.62
- Per year
- $7.45
- CO₂ / year
- 17.5 kg
Based on 43.8 kWh per year. Adjust the price per kWh to match your latest electricity bill for an exact figure.
At 5 watts used 24 hours a day, a security camera costs about $0.02 per day, $0.62 per month and $7.45 per year on an average rate of 17¢ per kWh — roughly 43.8 kWh and 17.5 kg of CO₂ over a year. Enter your own electricity rate and usage in the calculator above for a figure matched to your bill.
The low wattage of modern security cameras is deceptive. While a single camera might seem trivial compared to a refrigerator or air conditioner, the math changes when you multiply 5 watts by 24 hours and 365 days. A camera installed and left running continuously will accumulate far more operating hours than almost any other household device. The actual power draw depends heavily on what features are active: infrared night vision uses more energy than passive monitoring, and cameras that perform local processing (motion detection, edge recording) consume more than simple streaming models. If you have multiple cameras on your property—front door, back patio, garage, interior rooms—the collective impact becomes substantial.
Network infrastructure supporting your cameras often draws power too, but is frequently overlooked. A dedicated network video recorder (NVR) or a cloud-connected hub may sit powered on constantly alongside the cameras themselves. Some systems buffer video on local storage devices, which run 24/7. When evaluating true operating cost, consider the entire ecosystem: the cameras plus any always-on recording hardware, routers, or bridge devices they require. A wired system pulls power through the network cables themselves (if using power-over-Ethernet), while battery-powered wireless cameras need periodic charging—a hidden energy cost that compounds over months.
Camera placement and environmental conditions influence efficiency more than many people realize. A camera exposed to direct sunlight or extreme heat may work harder to maintain a stable sensor temperature, though most modern sensors are relatively resilient. The real efficiency win comes from strategic placement that reduces the need for intensive infrared illumination at night. If you place a camera where it catches ambient streetlight or exterior lighting, it can use passive night vision instead of burning through infrared LEDs. Conversely, a camera pointed at a dark corner will rely on energy-hungry infrared to produce usable footage, potentially doubling its power consumption during nighttime hours.
When shopping for an efficient camera, look beyond wattage specifications alone. Seek models with adaptive power modes—devices that increase sensor sensitivity when light dims, reducing reliance on infrared. Some cameras offer tiered recording quality: they might stream low-bitrate video continuously but record high-resolution footage only when motion is detected, cutting both bandwidth and processing load. Read user reviews specifically for reliability under continuous operation; a cheap camera that fails after six months of 24/7 use is far more costly than a premium model designed to run indefinitely. Also check whether the manufacturer publishes actual measured wattage under real-world conditions, not just theoretical minimums.
The most common mistake is underestimating run time. Many people calculate camera costs based on 8–10 hours of daily use, forgetting that security systems are meant to operate around the clock. Another pitfall is ignoring firmware updates and configuration changes that sometimes alter power consumption, or failing to disable unnecessary features like high-resolution constant streaming when motion-triggered recording would suffice. If you control the system, periodically review settings and disable power-hungry features you don't actually use. Finally, never assume a low-watt rating means low total energy: consistency matters far more than peak power for devices that never sleep.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I save energy by using battery-powered wireless cameras instead of wired ones?
- Not necessarily. While wireless cameras avoid the power draw of hardwired network cables, they require regular battery replacement or charging. Over a year, the energy cost of recharging a battery-powered camera weekly or monthly often rivals that of a wired model running constantly. Worse, many battery cameras revert to lower resolution or reduced features when power is low, compromising the security they're meant to provide. Wired cameras with power-over-Ethernet are usually more energy-efficient for continuous monitoring.
- Does infrared night vision significantly increase a camera's power draw?
- Yes, infrared LEDs consume notably more power than the camera's base electronics. A camera running only visible-light sensors during the day might draw 3–4 watts, but the same unit using infrared illumination at night can jump to 7–10 watts. If your camera is in a location with ambient nighttime lighting or if you can accept slightly grainier monochrome footage, disabling infrared or switching to a lower-power mode will reduce overall consumption. Thermal cameras, which use far more power, should be reserved for critical monitoring areas.
- How much energy does a network video recorder or DVR add to my system?
- An NVR or DVR typically draws 30–60 watts continuously, sometimes more depending on the number of bays and drive configuration. If you have three cameras at 5 watts each plus an always-on NVR at 40 watts, your total system draw is 55 watts—far higher than the cameras alone. Conversely, a cloud-based system that streams directly to a service provider eliminates local recording hardware and its energy cost, though it shifts the burden to the cloud provider's data centers. Evaluate whether local recording is necessary for your use case before committing to a hardware recorder.
- What features should I disable on my camera to reduce energy use?
- Start by disabling continuous high-bitrate streaming if your system supports motion-triggered recording instead. Turn off infrared night vision if ambient light is adequate, or use a lower power mode. Some cameras offer 'smart' or 'eco' modes that reduce frame rate or resolution during low-activity periods. If you have multiple cameras, consider staggering their operations or using motion sensors to wake cameras only when needed, rather than running all of them 24/7. Always check your camera's settings menu—many ship with power-hungry defaults you don't actually require.
- Is it better to use one high-resolution camera or multiple lower-power ones?
- One high-resolution camera often draws less power than multiple lower-spec units, since each camera has a baseline power cost regardless of capability. However, a single camera provides less coverage and no redundancy if it fails or is blocked. The practical choice depends on your security layout. If you can achieve adequate coverage with one well-placed high-quality camera rather than three cheap ones, you'll lower your total energy draw. Conversely, if you truly need multiple coverage zones, it's better to accept the higher collective consumption than to leave blind spots.
- Does the resolution setting affect power consumption?
- Yes, higher resolution generally requires more processing and sensor work, increasing power draw. A camera set to 4K or 1080p with continuous streaming will consume more than the same camera running at 480p or 720p. However, the difference is usually a fraction of a watt, not a dramatic change. If you're trying to optimize energy, look first to disable unnecessary features like infrared or continuous streaming, which have a far larger impact than dropping resolution by a notch or two. That said, recording lower resolution means weaker detail for identifying people or license plates, so don't sacrifice security for marginal power savings.