Energy and Water Consumption of Technologies

Introduction

Understanding the energy and water consumption of various technologies is crucial for making environmentally efficient choices. This article provides a factual comparison of common technologies' energy and water usage to help guide informed decisions.

Energy Consumption

  • ChatGPT Queries
    • Each query uses approximately 0.001–0.01 kWh, depending on the model and number of tokens processed.
  • Google Search Queries
    • A traditional* search uses about 0.0003 kWh per query, making it roughly 3–30 times more energy-efficient than a ChatGPT query.
  • Database queries (used to search and load data on web pages, apps, ads, etc.)
    • A single query consumes about 0.0001–0.001 kWh, approximately 10 times more efficient than a ChatGPT query. However, web browsing can involve multiple database queries per page, potentially making it less efficient overall.
  • Video Streaming
    • Streaming a 10-minute 4K video uses between 0.017–0.076 kWh in total, making it 7x less efficient than ChatGPT. These estimates include:
      • Data center: 0.006–0.009 kWh
      • Transmission: 0.006–0.017 kWh
      • Device usage (e.g., laptop): up to 0.015 kWh
  • TikTok and Instagram video
    • Data center energy per 1-minute video (based on 0.005 Wh per GB processing, storage and transmission):
      • Standard resolution (10–20 MB): 0.0005–0.001 kWh.
      • High resolution (50–100 MB): 0.0025–0.005 kWh.
    • This makes watching a single TikTok or Instagram reel can be up to 5x less efficient than a single ChatGPT query in datacenter energy alone
  • Printing
    • Printing one side of a black-and-white page on a laser printer uses 0.006 kWh, about 6 times more energy than a ChatGPT query. For example, printing 30,000 pages in one day (the number of pages printed on January 22, 2025, at Bowdoin) consumes 180 kWh.

* Google and Bing searches now include generative AI responses to many searches in a web browser, which means that these searches now must include both the costs of generative AI and traditional searches (those without AI).

Water Consumption

Water is a critical resource for cooling data centers, which support AI models and other technologies. While some water evaporates through cooling towers, many systems recycle or treat water for reuse.

  • AI Infrastructure
    • A single ChatGPT query consumes about 0.5 liters of water on average.
  • Toilet Flushing
    • One flush uses 6–9 liters of water.
  • Video Streaming
    • Streaming a 10-minute video consumes about 0.5 liters of water, comparable to a ChatGPT query.
  • Paper Production for printing
    • Creating a ream of 500 sheets (non-recycled) uses 6,500 liters of water, or about 13 liters per sheet, for the entire production cycle. 

Conclusion

Different technologies consume varying amounts of energy and water, depending on their purpose and infrastructure. By understanding these metrics, we can choose the most efficient technologies for specific tasks and reduce their environmental impact. Efficient usage ensures we balance technological advancements with sustainability.

 

All data is estimated based on available information for 2024. Most companies do not report exact usage of power and water for the services or goods they provide.

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