I’m Not Sweating My AI Energy Usage

Simon P. Couch used energy-per-token estimates to calculate his AI coding energy use:

On a median day, I estimate I consume 1,300 Wh through Claude Code — 4,400 “typical queries” worth. (For those wondering, this is $15-20 of token spend on a typical day.)

This number matches my mental model for my own AI energy use. When Claude Code is churning away, I picture an ultra-high-end GPU at full utilization dedicated to my request for a minute or two.

Recently I built a gaming PC and hooked it up to my UPS with a wattage output display. When playing graphics-intensive games, I see that I’m consuming about 500 W more than I would be if I was just using my Mac Studio.

My median day of AI coding undoubtedly uses less than $15–$20 of token spend. But even if it did use that much, it would still be less energy use than 3 hours of flight simming.^[1]

Granted, both of these newish behaviors (AI coding and PC gaming) are net increases in my energy use. But I’m finding it hard to feel bad about either of them, especially when no one is telling heavy gamers they should feel ashamed of their energy usage.

Via simonwillison.net.