Homelab power & cost guides
Practical, no-fluff guides to the questions that come up constantly in r/homelab and r/selfhosted: how to cut idle power, how to actually measure draw at the wall, and whether a cheap used rack server is a false economy once you count the electricity. Every guide ties back to the cost calculator and wattage database.
How to reduce your homelab's power consumption
Practical, measured ways to cut idle watts — C-states, drive spin-down, consolidating onto a mini-PC, and what actually moves the needle.
How to measure your homelab's real power drawWhy spec sheets lie, which plug-in meters to use, and how to read whole-rack draw with a UPS or smart plug.
Mini-PC vs rack server: which is cheaper to run?A cost breakdown of the classic r/homelab dilemma — when an old enterprise server's electricity bill outweighs its low purchase price.
Last updated: 2026-06-13