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How Much Electricity Does Your TV Use?
4 minute read • Last update July 2024
How much power does a TV use?
Most modern TVs consume between 50 and 200 watts on average. The power usage of a TV depends on its type, size, and how frequently it’s used.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how power consumption and average wattage vary by TV type:
- CRT TVs – Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) TVs, the traditional bulky televisions common before the advent of flat-screen technology, are still favored in gaming due to their reduced input lag and blurring. A CRT TV consumes between 60 and 150 watts of power per hour.
- Plasma TVs – Plasma TVs use small cells containing electrically charged ionized gases (plasma) to produce images. While the color accuracy of a plasma screen is hard to match, it’s one of the least energy-efficient models, using up to 300 watts per hour.
- LCD TVs – Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) TVs generate images by directing light through liquid crystals sandwiched between two layers of glass. Like any other model, an LCD TV’s energy usage will vary depending on screen size, generally sitting between 50 and 150 watts per hour.
- LED TVs – LED TVs, a subtype of LCD TVs, use Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for backlighting, resulting in thinner, more energy-efficient designs with enhanced picture quality. Their energy usage typically ranges from 50 to 100 watts per hour.
- OLED TVs – Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) TVs use a carbon-based film that emits light when electricity flows through the system, eliminating the need for a backlight. OLED TVs are a highly energy-efficient model, with power usage ranging from as low as 30 watts to about 200 watts per hour.
How many watts does a TV use per day?
How much electricity does a TV use in 24 hours? That depends on how much time you and your family spend watching TV.
Let’s say you have a 100-watt model and watch TV for an average of 4 hours daily. In that case, your daily average will be:
100 watts × 4 hours = 400 watts per day
How much electricity does a TV use per month?
How much energy your TV consumes will likely vary throughout the week because most households use less power on weekdays when family members are out at work or school and more power at weekends. You’ll likely need to run a few separate calculations for how many watts you use at different times and add them together.
The easiest way to calculate monthly TV electricity usage is to work on a four-week cycle and round up for two extra weekdays and one weekend day. Let’s look at an example using the same TV wattage as above:
Monday to Friday: 5 x 100 watts × 4 hours = 2,000 watts
Saturday and Sunday: 2 x 100 watts x 6 hours = 1,200 watts
Weekly total: 3,200 watts
4-week total: 3,200 x 4 = 12,800 watts
Rounding: 2 x 100 watts × 4 hours + 1 x 100 watts x 6 hours = 1400 watts
Monthly total: 14,200 watts
How much electricity does a smart TV use?
Smart TVs typically use more electricity compared to conventional TVs due to their advanced capabilities and additional features, such as internet connectivity and streaming. However, experts suggest that there is not much difference in how much power a smart TV uses, primarily because it eliminates the need for a separate set-top box.
Do TVs use a lot of electricity?
In terms of the total electricity consumed, TVs have a relatively low requirement compared to other appliances, such as:
- Coffee machines – 1,000 watts
- Dishwashers – 1,500 watts
- AC units – 2,500 watts
- Water heaters – 3,000 watts
Factors that affect TV electricity usage
Understanding the factors that reduce power consumption can help lower energy costs. Here’s a quick overview of the primary considerations.
Size
TV power usage and overall energy efficiency are affected by screen size due to various technology and design features:
- Backlighting and electricity consumption – Larger screen sizes require more powerful backlights to maintain uniform brightness.
- Processing power and TV power consumption – Modern TVs with larger screens typically require more processing power, consuming more energy to manage higher resolutions and complex algorithms.
- Resolution, pixel count, and TV electricity usage – Larger TVs have bigger display panels, additional physical components, and more extensive circuitry and cooling systems, all of which demand more electricity to operate effectively.
Age
Generally, the energy consumption of older TV models (such as CRTs and early LCDs) is higher than modern LED and OLED models due to advancements in technology and design. These innovations allow newer models to consume less power while achieving comparable image quality and brightness levels.
Brand and model
Different manufacturers implement various technologies, design strategies, and energy-saving features, leading to notable differences in power consumption among TVs of similar size and type. For instance, Samsung’s QLED TVs use Quantum Dot technology to enhance color accuracy and brightness while maintaining energy efficiency. Sony also offers several models recognized as some of the most energy-efficient TVs in 2024.
TV usage
While TVs are not the largest consumers of power compared to other appliances like dishwashers or AC units, their impact on your yearly electricity use can be significant. Televisions left on for several hours each day can contribute to electricity bills. Use the formulas provided earlier to calculate the daily and monthly usage and assess how this affects your electricity costs.
What to look for when buying an energy-efficient TV
Investing in an energy-efficient TV can lead to significant savings on your monthly electricity bill. Here’s a list of the most essential qualities to look for:
- Size – As we’ve already highlighted, smaller TVs generally have a lower power rating.
- ENERGY STAR designation – ENERGY STAR-certified TVs meet efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and are typically 25% more efficient than TVs without an ENERGY STAR label.
- Energy saving mode – Common energy saving modes include automatic screen dimming and shut-off functions that put your TV into vampire power (standby mode) when not in use.
- LED backlighting – LED TVs are typically more energy-efficient than LCDs and plasmas.
- Smart features – Additional power-saving modes and settings on smart TVs include light sensors that automatically adjust the screen’s brightness based on ambient conditions and the ability to turn off the quick start feature (which consumes more energy).
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