How Many Watts Does a TV Use? Does It Increase Your Bills?

According to the US Department of Energy, the power consumption of the residential sector is 21% of the total energy needs of the United States. It shows that a significant amount of energy is used to run our home appliances.

As you know, the cost of living and electricity is increasing day by day. Therefore, it is important to understand the impact of using an appliance, like a TV, on the overall power consumption. It can help reduce your financial stress.

Now the question coming to your mind would be, How many watts does a TV use? Understanding the electricity usage of a TV can help you understand how much it will add to your utility bills. Adjusting settings for energy-efficiency and optimizing viewing habits can help you greatly reduce bills.

How many watts does a TV use?

The power consumption of a TV depends on its type, size, features, and models. However, a typical TV uses between 50W and 150W of electricity. A bigger TV uses more electricity than a smaller one. Similarly, a TV with more features will consume a high amount of energy compared to a typical TV.

1. LED TVs

An LED TV uses 30-200W of power depending on its size and features. This TV type is known for better brightness and energy efficiency because it illuminates the screen with light emitting diodes. Full-array and edge-lit are two different types of LED TVs. Out of these two, full-array LED TV offers premium-quality contrast levels and uniform backlighting.

2. Plasma TVs

The energy usage of a plasma TV is somewhere around 500 watts. This TV type creates plasma by ionizing gas to generate pictures. Ultraviolet light is emitted to illuminate the screen. It offers wide viewing angles and incredible color accuracy. Plasma TVs are prone to screen burn-in. Plus, they are no longer being manufactured.

3. OLED TVs

These TVs need more power than LEDs to operate. They use between 65W and 300W depending on their size (42-83 inches). OLEDs use organic light emitting diodes to offer impressive response time, superior color accuracy, and amazing contrast. The top reasons why millions of people buy and use OLED TVs are their superb picture quality and slim, elegant design.

4. LCD TVs

These TVs use 70-200W of power. They come with two glass layers separated by the liquid crystal solution. If you are looking for an affordable option with a lightweight design, an LCD TV will be your go-to player. However, it may offer lower color accuracy and contrast.

5. CRT TVs

They draw around 120W of electricity. CRT TVs are old technology that uses electron beams to produce pictures on the screen. Though they offer good response times and color accuracy, they are less practical due to their bulkier structures and bigger sizes.

The table below shows the amount of power different TVs use in a year.

TV type	Annual power consumption
LED	40-146 kWh
Plasma	220-584 kWh
OLED	132-264 kWh
LCD	54-182 kWh
CRT	146-219 kWh

 

How much electricity does a TV use per month?

The daily, weekly, or monthly power consumption of a TV depends on its rated power and the duration for which it remains on. Before we get into further details, let's look at the formula you can use to calculate the power consumption of your TV.

Electricity in kWh = TV's rated power x number of hours

Let's now use this formula to calculate the daily, weekly, and monthly energy usage of a TV with examples. Suppose you have a 120-watt TV and you run it for 3 hours a day.

Daily energy use = 0.12 kW x 3 h = 0.36 kWh

Weekly energy use = 0.36 x 7 = 2.52 kWh

Monthly energy use = 0.36 x 30 = 10.8 kWh

Now, suppose you run the same TV for 4 hours a day. The power consumption this time will be.

Daily power usage = 0.12 kW x 4 h = 0.48 kWh

Weekly power usage = 0.48 x 7 = 3.36 kWh

Monthly power usage = 0.48 x 30 = 14.4 kWh

You can see a significant difference in the monthly power consumption of a TV when it remains on for 4 hours instead of 3.

How much does it cost to power a TV?

Now that you know how much electricity does a TV use, it is time to estimate the cost of running this appliance at home. The cost of powering your TV depends on several factors, such as the type, size, duration, and the rate of electricity in your area.

Before breaking down the cost of running a TV in different areas, let's look at the formula to calculate it.

Cost of powering a TV = power consumption in kWh x cost of electricity per kWh

The table below uses this formula to calculate the monthly cost of running different types of TV in different sizes in different states of the US.

TV	Rated power	Hours of use per month	Cost of electricity per kWh	Monthly cost of running a TV
32” LED	50W	60	California (19.90 cents)	$0.59
65” LED	100W	60		$1.19
32” LCD	70W	60	Florida (11.37 cents)	$0.47
55” LCD	100W	60		$0.68
42” OLED	55W	60	Virginia (12.40 cents)	$0.40
77” OLED	200W	60		$1.48

The table above shows that running different types and sizes of TVs (for 60 hours a month each) in the same state will cost you a different amount. The reason behind this fact is that the rated power of different TV types and electricity rates in different states are different.

Does leaving a TV on use a lot of electricity?

Yes, if a TV is left on for extended periods, it will consume a significant amount of power or electricity. New smart TVs or TVs with larger screens draw even more power (even if you don't use them actively) to illuminate the screens. If you leave them on for hours throughout the month, they will increase your electricity bills.

It is a fact that TVs don't consume as much energy as other home appliances do, such as refrigerators, microwave ovens, air conditioners, and coffee makers. But since they remain on for hours, they add to your bills. This is the reason you should be familiar with how much power does a TV use.

How to calculate the TV power consumption?

The power consumption of your TV depends on its rated power and time you use it for, as stated earlier. The formula is super simple, as given below.

Power consumption (kWh) = TV's rated power (W)/1000 x usage (h)

Suppose you have a 100W TV and you use it for 5 hours daily. Its daily energy usage will be:

= 100/1000 x 5 = 0.5 kWh

Once you have daily power consumption of a TV, you can easily calculate its weekly, monthly, and yearly energy usage by simply multiplying it with 7, 30, and 365, respectively.

Similarly, once you calculate the power in kWh of your TV, you can estimate its cost by multiplying it with the average local electricity rates offered by the state authorities.

Tips to reduce TV power consumption

Do you want to use your TV more efficiently to save on your electricity bills? If so, following the tips below will help you achieve your goal.

1. Adjust settings: The contrast and brightness of most TVs are high by default. Lowering contrast and brightness levels can save some energy without affecting the picture quality.
2. Turn off when not in use: One of the best methods of reducing the power consumption of your TV is to turn it off when you don't watch.
3. Use energy-efficient features: Eco-mode settings, sleep timers, and automatic brightness control are energy-saving features that modern TV offer. Try using these features to save energy.
4. Upgrade to energy-saving models: Replace old TVs with the latest energy-efficient models. It is always suggested to buy TVs recommended by Energy Star.

Solar generator for TV

Are you looking for a self-contained system that can absorb sunlight and turn it into electrical power to run TVs and a range of other home appliances? Try the Renogy 400W Lightweight Portable Solar Suitcase. The Renogy 400W Lightweight Portable Solar Suitcase is a foldable, durable solar panel designed for outdoor and off-grid use, such as RV camping or home backup. It weighs just 30.2 lbs, making it easy to transport, and features IP67 waterproofing and ETFE coating for resilience in harsh conditions.

This solar suitcase doesn't directly power a TV, as TVs typically require AC power and the panel outputs DC power. Instead, it charges a compatible portable power station, which then converts the stored energy to AC power for your TV. For example, a TV consuming 100-150W would need a power station with enough capacity (measured in Wh) to support your viewing duration, like a 1000Wh station for about 10 hours of use.

FAQs about powering a TV

How much does it cost to run a TV all day?

It all depends on the size, efficiency, and usage hours of your TV. If you run a standard 50-100W LED TV for 2-4 hours a day, the cost of running it would be somewhere $1-5. It can be lower or higher for different sizes, models, and the rate of electricity in your region.

Is it cheaper to turn the TV off and on or leave it on?

Yes, turning your TV off when not in use and switch it on again to watch when needed. It is more energy efficient than leaving your TV on. Even if you put the TV in a standby mode, it will use some energy.

What size battery do you need to back up a TV?

If you are looking for a suitable battery for your standard LED TV, a 12V 100Ah battery will be enough to power it up. For bigger TVs, batteries with higher capacities may be required, depending on their rated power.

How many solar panels does it take to run a TV?

A 200-300W solar panel is enough to run a TV. If you want to power your TV for long hours throughout the month and run other devices, you may need more solar panels, depending on your energy needs.

Conclusion

If you are wondering how many watts does a TV use, remember, different models, sizes, and types draw different amounts of power to lit up the screen. A typical TV uses 50-100W of power. To calculate the power consumption of your TV in kWh, you need to multiply its rated power with the hours for which it stays on.

Electricity rates in your area help you estimate the cost of running a TV daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly to manage your expenses. Though TVs are not energy-hungry devices like air conditioners and microwaves, they still add up to your bills if not used efficiently. Don't forget to turn the TV off when you are not watching, use energy-saving features, and upgrade to smart models to save energy and money.