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How many watts does a TV use? Let’s see…
- Updated: Jan 17, 2025
- Created: Mar 18, 2024
- 10 min
Edited by: Andrei Gorichenskii
An average American watches TV for four hours a day. Ever wondered how much money you spend to power your TV? In this article, we’ll look at how much electricity a TV uses and evaluate its running costs.
Key takeaways
- The average TV consumes from 100 to 200 watts depending on technology, and additional TV features that may consume some more power.
- The average American watches TV for about four hours per day. This means that your TV costs you about 8 cents per day, $2 per month, and $25 per year.
- Plugged-in TV is an energy vampire and still uses about 1 watt of energy in standby mode.
TV power consumption depends on size and type
The average wattage of modern TV ranges from 100 to 200 watts. The exact number depends on the model that you have, the size of the screen and the type. Here are some general guidelines:
LED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes)/LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) TVs
These are the most common types of TVs. Small to medium-sized LED/LCD TVs (around 32 inches) typically use about 30 to 55 watts. Larger models (50-inch TV and above) can range from 100 to 300 watts or more. These TVs utilize liquid crystals sandwiched between two polarizing filters. Backlights, often consisting of LEDs, illuminate the crystals, which then twist and untwist to control the amount of light passing through, forming the image. Smaller models are energy-efficient, but larger versions consume significantly more power.
Plasma TVs
Plasma TVs become less common in particular because they tend to use more power than LED/LCD TVs. Small plasma TVs may use around 100 to 150 watts, while larger models can go up to 500 watts or more. These TVs use tiny gas cells filled with a mixture of noble gases. When excited by an electric current, these gases emit light, creating the display. While offering vibrant colors and deep blacks, they have largely faded from the scene due to their higher energy consumption.
OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) TVs
OLED TVs are known for their high-quality display. Their power consumption is generally in the range of 100 to 200 watts for smaller to medium-sized screens, but it can go higher for larger models. OLED TVs utilize organic compounds that emit light when electrically stimulated. This self-illuminating nature allows for perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and stunning picture quality. But their power consumption, while generally lower than plasma, can still be considerable, especially for larger screen sizes.
CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) TVs
CRT TVs are primarily of historical interest. These older technologies require up to 120 watts of electricity. These rely on a cathode ray tube to generate the image. While some people still use these TVs, particularly gamers, their energy consumption is significant, and their bulky size and weight make them impractical for most modern homes.
OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) TVs are generally considered the most energy-efficient type of TV. They can achieve deep blacks by turning off individual pixels completely, which significantly reduces power consumption.
Smart TVs have additional features that may consume more power, such as internet connection and built-in apps. However, the added power usage for these features is usually minimal compared to the screen size and type.
Volts, amps, watts – what’s the difference?
Let's break down the main terms you need to know about electricity:
Volts are like water pressure in a pipe - they show how strongly the electricity is being pushed through the wires in your home. Just like water needs pressure to flow through pipes, electricity needs voltage to flow through wires.
Amps measure how much electricity is actually flowing, like measuring the amount of water flowing through a pipe per second. The more amps, the more electricity is moving through.
Watts tell you how much power something uses by combining volts and amps. For example, when you see a 60-watt light bulb, that number tells you how much power it needs to work.
Kilowatt-hours show the total amount of electricity you've used over time. If you use a 1,000-watt appliance (or 1 kilowatt) for one hour, that's one kilowatt-hour. This is what appears on your electric bill.
Think of it this way: Volts push the electricity, amps tell you how much is flowing, watts show how much power you're using right now, and kilowatt-hours add up all your usage over time.
Volts are like water pressure in a pipe - they show how strongly the electricity is being pushed through the wires in your home. Just like water needs pressure to flow through pipes, electricity needs voltage to flow through wires.
Amps measure how much electricity is actually flowing, like measuring the amount of water flowing through a pipe per second. The more amps, the more electricity is moving through.
Watts tell you how much power something uses by combining volts and amps. For example, when you see a 60-watt light bulb, that number tells you how much power it needs to work.
Kilowatt-hours show the total amount of electricity you've used over time. If you use a 1,000-watt appliance (or 1 kilowatt) for one hour, that's one kilowatt-hour. This is what appears on your electric bill.
Think of it this way: Volts push the electricity, amps tell you how much is flowing, watts show how much power you're using right now, and kilowatt-hours add up all your usage over time.
Setting an example
Let’s try to imagine the daily consumption of your TV. The average American watches TV for about four hours per day, according to A.C. Nielsen Co. Based on it we’ll figure out the TV running costs per day, per month and per year. Suppose, you have a 100W TV on for four hours every day. Its daily, monthly and annual consumption then amounts to:
100 W × 4 h = 400 Wh/day × 30 = 12 kWh/month × 12 = 144 kWh/year
Еo reduce the power consumption of your TV, choose energy-efficient models and look for the Energy Star label, which indicates that the TV meets strict energy efficiency guidelines. Adjust brightness and contrast and use power-saving modes. Most modern TVs have built-in power-saving modes that automatically adjust brightness and contrast or even turn off the TV after a period of inactivity.
The average electricity rate in the US amounts to $0.17 per kilowatt-hour. This means that in this particular example, your TV costs you about 8 cents per day. The monthly running costs amount to $2. Over the course of one year, you’ll pay about $25 for electricity for your TV. The bill of course changes with your TV wattage and your watching habits.
Monthly and yearly costs to run a TV by state
The consumption cost heavily depends on the cost of electricity, and each state has its own cost per kilowatt hour. Let's see how much it would cost you to run a 100-watt TV every day for four hours throughout the year.
But wait… There’s more!
Plugged-in TV still uses energy in standby mode
1W — average consumption of an appliance in standby mode
Household appliances that stay on standby use a bit of energy all the time. This includes things like TVs, laptops in sleep mode, unplugged phone chargers, game consoles, and coffee machines. Even though they're not being actively used, they still use power. While one device might not seem like a big deal, having many of them can add $100 to $200 extra to your yearly electricity bill.
You can save money if you reduce standby power - every little bit helps! Unplug devices when you're not using them. If it’s tedious, use power strips or invest in smart outlets.
Saving money on your TV
More attention to your TV habits can make a big difference in the amount of energy you use and reduce your energy bills. Here are a few factors that’ll help you improve your energy consumption and save a few cents.
Tip #1: Use energy-efficient models. When buying a new TV, look for Energy Star certification. This indicates that the TV meets strict energy efficiency guidelines. Compare energy consumption ratings between different models to find the most efficient option for your needs.
Tip #2: Adjust brightness and contrast. Picture settings also impact energy consumption. Features like contrast, color saturation, and sharpness often require increased power to achieve higher levels. Experiment with the settings on your TV. Optimizing these settings can substantially reduce power usage.
Tip #3: Set eco modes. Many modern TVs have built-in eco modes that automatically adjust settings like brightness, contrast, and backlight to optimize energy efficiency. These modes often provide a noticeable reduction in power consumption without significantly affecting picture quality.
Tip #4: Turn off the TV completely. While standby mode consumes minimal power, turning off the TV completely is the most energy-efficient option. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet to completely eliminate power consumption.
Tip #5: Unplug electronics. External devices connected to the TV, such as gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, and soundbars, can also contribute to overall power consumption. Even when the TV is turned off, some devices may still draw power, a phenomenon known as “phantom load.” Unplugging or using a power strip with an on/off switch can help minimize this “vampire power.”
Tip #6: Take advantage of time-of-use electricity rates: If your utility company offers time-of-use rates, try to avoid using the TV during peak hours when electricity is most expensive.
TV can be powered with solar generator
A small TV can be a nice companion if you’re travelling on a trailer or a boat. To keep your devices powered, you can add solar panels to your equipment and harvest electricity anywhere you go.
Different sizes and styles are available for portable solar panels. Flexible solar panels can be fixed to your RV or boat using adhesives. Alternatively, foldable solar panels come equipped with kickstands, allowing you to set them up anywhere. Travelers usually have modest energy needs, and sometimes just a couple of solar panels with a small output are enough.
Think about pairing your solar panels with a portable power station. This combination includes an inverter, a charge controller, and a small power bank – an ideal solution for keeping your devices charged no matter where you find yourself. When solar panels and a power station work together, they create a PV generator. For more insights on selecting the right solar panels for your PV generator, refer to our article titled "Choosing Solar Panels for a PV Generator: Tips and Tools".
To solar power your TV at home, you might require:
Solar panel system: Install a solar panel system on your roof or in your yard. The panels will convert sunlight into electricity.
Inverter: An inverter converts the DC power generated by the solar panels into the AC power that your TV requires.
Battery storage (optional): A battery bank can store excess solar energy generated during the day for use when the sun is not shining.
While the initial investment in a solar panel system can be substantial, there are various financial incentives and government rebates available to offset these upfront costs. Once the system is installed, solar power is a virtually free source of energy, significantly reducing your electricity bills.
Andrey Gorichenski
Senior Editor
Andrey had been a news editor and freelance writer for a number of medias before joining A1 SolarStore team. Climate change and its impact on people's lives has always been among his interests and it partially explains his degree in Philosophy and Ethics.
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