How Much Electricity Does A TV Use?
QUICK ANSWER
A modern LED TV uses about 50 to 100 watts when on, which is 0.05 to 0.1 kilowatt hours per hour. At five hours of daily use, that is roughly 15 kWh per month or about 2 to 5 dollars on your electric bill. Older plasma TVs use much more.
TVs are nowhere near the energy hogs they used to be. A modern LED TV draws about a tenth of what a 2005-era plasma did, and the cost to run one is small compared to appliances like refrigerators or AC. But TV size, panel type, and daily use time all factor in. Here is what a TV actually costs to run and how that breaks down per hour, day, and month.
How many watts does a TV use?
A modern LED TV between 32 and 55 inches typically draws 50 to 100 watts when on, depending on screen size and brightness setting. Smaller 24-inch TVs draw closer to 30 watts. Larger 65-inch and 75-inch LEDs draw 100 to 200 watts. OLED TVs in the same size range use slightly more, around 100 to 150 watts. Older plasma TVs from before 2014 are the outlier, often pulling 300 to 500 watts even at small sizes, which adds up quickly over a year.
How much does it cost to run a TV per month?
At the US average electricity rate of about 17 cents per kWh, a 75-watt LED TV running 5 hours per day costs roughly 2 dollars per month. A 150-watt OLED at the same use is closer to 4 dollars. Running the TV 8 or 10 hours per day instead of 5 doubles those costs. The bigger expenses come from older plasmas, which can cost 10 to 20 dollars per month, or large 75-inch and up LEDs running constantly in a family room.
Which TVs use the most electricity?
Old plasma TVs are the worst offenders by far, using 3 to 5 times more electricity than a same-size LED. Large OLEDs at 65 inches and above use more than smaller LEDs but less than plasmas. Gaming setups with HDR enabled increase TV draw by 20 to 40 percent compared to standard viewing. Streaming devices, soundbars, and set-top boxes connected to the TV also add their own costs, usually 5 to 15 watts each.
Does a TV use electricity when it is off?
Yes, but only a small amount. Modern TVs in standby mode draw about 0.5 to 3 watts to keep the remote sensor and quick-start features active. That works out to maybe 50 cents to 2 dollars per year per TV. Smart TVs with always-on features like Alexa or Google integration can draw more, up to 5 watts in standby. Unplugging the TV when you travel for extended periods saves the standby draw but the savings are small compared to running appliances.
A modern TV is a small slice of your electric bill, around 15 kWh per month for typical viewing. Larger screens, OLED panels, and gaming use bump it up. Older plasma TVs can use 3 to 5 times more. To cut TV-related electricity, focus on screen size when you buy your next one and consider a smart plug for the standby draw on multiple TVs.
More HVAC, Heating & Cooling Questions
Mystery Question?
Mystery Question?
Mystery Question?