How much does it cost to run a smart home security camera (indoor)?
Indoor security cameras are designed to run 24/7, continuously recording or monitoring motion in your home while drawing only a tiny amount of power—typically between 3 and 8 watts depending on features and resolution. Because they're always on and their energy consumption is so modest compared to appliances like refrigerators or space heaters, most households don't think much about their electricity impact, yet understanding their actual draw can help you choose models that won't strain your electrical budget or safety systems.
Smart Home Security Camera (Indoor) 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 smart home security camera (indoor) 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 power draw of indoor security cameras stems from their design philosophy: they use efficient processors, low-resolution sensors for certain models, passive infrared detection to trigger recording rather than recording everything simultaneously, and LED-based or minimal infrared illumination for night vision. Unlike outdoor cameras that must power heated enclosures and bright spotlights, indoor models operate in controlled temperatures and rely on ambient room lighting or subtle night-vision modes. The smallest, simplest plug-in cameras might use only 3 watts, while higher-resolution models with advanced features like two-way audio, digital zoom, or heated optics can push toward 8 watts—still negligible in annual energy terms.
When selecting an indoor camera, pay attention to what type of power input it uses: some draw from standard wall outlets, others from USB ports (sometimes sharing bandwidth with other devices), and a few from battery packs or solar. Wall-powered cameras tend to be more consistent in energy draw because they don't have the inefficiency losses of voltage conversion that battery chargers introduce. If you have multiple cameras, stacking several high-consumption models—say, 8-watt units in every room—can add up faster than one might expect, though the total is still modest compared to a single inefficient appliance like an old window AC unit.
Many people buy indoor cameras with unnecessary features they won't use, such as 4K resolution or pan-tilt-zoom motors, which increase power consumption and cost without improving security if your camera is static or located in a small room. A fixed-position 1080p camera with motion detection and night vision covers most household needs and often uses less power. Conversely, cameras with passive infrared sensors that only begin recording or streaming when motion is detected can reduce their effective runtime well below 24 hours; if a stationary room has no movement for 12 hours overnight, an efficient camera might draw power for only 12 hours that day, cutting electricity use by half.
Placement and configuration matter more than most users realize. A camera mounted in a corner or behind furniture uses more infrared power to illuminate the space and stays on longer because of false motion triggers from shadows, curtains, or pets. Positioning your camera to face an empty, well-lit room with clear sightlines reduces the need for constant infrared illumination and minimizes false alerts that drain battery-powered models faster. Some cameras allow you to disable recording during certain hours (like daytime if no one is home) or set motion-detection sensitivity; using these features effectively won't change the standby power draw, but it can reduce network bandwidth and cloud storage costs.
Finally, check whether your chosen model supports PoE (Power over Ethernet) or standard USB charging, as this affects how the device integrates into your home network and power infrastructure. PoE cameras eliminate the need for separate wall outlets and can simplify installation in rentals or temporary setups, though they require a compatible network switch. Standard USB-powered cameras are cheaper and more flexible but may share bandwidth with phones, printers, or media devices, which could complicate troubleshooting if networking issues arise. None of these choices dramatically affect electricity consumption, but they shape the practicality and reliability of your security system over time.
Frequently asked questions
- Why do indoor security cameras use so little power compared to other home electronics?
- Indoor cameras operate in climate-controlled environments without the need for heated enclosures, bright spotlights, or cooling systems that outdoor cameras require. They also use power-efficient processors designed for video compression and motion detection rather than raw processing power, and they rely on ambient light or soft infrared LEDs instead of floodlights. The combination of these design choices keeps their typical draw between 3 and 8 watts—roughly the equivalent of a single LED bulb.
- Should I unplug my indoor security camera when I'm home or to save money?
- Unplugging the camera is not necessary for cost savings given how little power it draws; the electricity saved would be negligible. However, if you have privacy concerns about constant monitoring or want to reduce network activity, there's no harm in unplugging during certain hours. Many modern cameras allow you to disable recording or livestream via the app rather than physically unplugging, which is more convenient and doesn't risk forgetting to turn them back on.
- Do cameras with night vision use significantly more power than those without?
- Night vision cameras draw slightly more power when the infrared LEDs activate, but the difference is usually only 1–2 watts. Since infrared only activates in low-light conditions and the mode is essentially a toggle, the annual impact is small. The key is efficient design: cameras with passive infrared sensors that detect motion and then trigger recording use less total power than always-on cameras, even if those always-on models have bright infrared.
- What should I look for in an energy-efficient indoor security camera?
- Prioritize fixed-position cameras over pan-tilt-zoom models, since motors consume extra power. Choose native resolution that matches your room size (1080p is often sufficient for indoor use) rather than 4K. Look for motion detection and night vision that only activate when needed, and check if the camera allows scheduling to disable recording during specific hours. Also verify the power adapter's efficiency rating; older chargers can waste 20–30% of input power as heat, so a camera using a modern power supply will be genuinely more efficient.
- Can multiple indoor cameras cause my electricity bill to rise noticeably?
- If you install 5–10 cameras across your home, you're drawing perhaps 40–80 watts combined, which runs roughly 13–27 kilowatt-hours per month—a fraction of typical household consumption. However, on a per-device basis, cameras with features like pan-tilt-zoom, two-way audio, or always-on high-resolution recording will cost more to run than simple motion-detecting models. The difference isn't dramatic, but choosing efficient designs when buying multiple units does add up.
- Does recording to cloud storage versus local storage affect the camera's power draw?
- The power draw of the camera itself remains the same regardless of storage method; the camera's electronics and sensors use the same electricity whether footage goes to the cloud, an SD card, or a local network drive. Cloud uploads consume network bandwidth and may involve a tiny amount of additional processor use, but the effect on camera power consumption is negligible. However, battery-powered or solar cameras may drain batteries faster if they're constantly uploading video, so local or intermittent cloud backups can extend battery life.