Understanding the power consumption of your TV is essential for managing household energy bills. TVs can significantly contribute to your overall electricity usage and, therefore, are a considerable chunk of your monthly energy costs. Your TV consumes more power than you may realize, especially larger models. That said, mall habits — turning off the TV or adjusting the brightness — can help cut down on your overall electricity consumption.
TVs have come a long way in energy-efficiency. Contemporary models — LED, OLED and QLED, for instance — use much less power than bulky, outdated cathode-ray tube (CRT) TVs. Newer models use technology advancements, such as LED backlighting and organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), that reduce the energy used by TVs while also improving picture quality and allowing for thinner screens. Below, we break down how much power your TV uses and why choosing an energy-efficient TV can have a noticeable impact on your energy budget.
TV Power Consumption by Size and Type
The model and size of the TV will impact how much energy it consumes.
The following table shows how many watts on average a TV consumes, depending on different sizes and types.
| TV Size (inches) | LED/LCD Average Watts | OLED Average Watts | Plasma Average Watts | CRT TV Watts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 15 | NA | NA | 65 |
| 20 | 24 | NA | NA | 90 |
| 30 | 38 | NA | 150 | NA |
| 32 | 41 | NA | 160 | NA |
| 37 | 44 | 66 | 180 | NA |
| 40 | 50 | 72 | 200 | NA |
| 42 | 57 | 75 | 220 | NA |
| 50 | 72 | 89 | 300 | NA |
| 55 | 80 | 98 | 370 | NA |
| 60 | 88 | 107 | 500 | NA |
Popular TV Models and Their Power Consumption
The following table displays popular TV models and key details, including size, technology, active power usage and standby power usage:
| TV Model | Size | Technology | Active Power Usage (W) | Standby Power Usage (W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung QN90B | 55″ | QLED | 125-150 | 0.5-1 |
| LG OLED C2 | 55″ | OLED | 120-150 | 0.5-1 |
| Sony Bravia XR A90J | 65″ | OLED | 130-180 | 0.5-1 |
| Vizio M-Series Quantum | 65″ | QLED | 120-140 | 0.5-1 |
| TCL 6-Series (R646) | 55″ | QLED | 100-120 | 0.5-1 |
| Samsung TU8000 | 55″ | LED | 80-100 | 0.5-1 |
| Hisense U8H | 65″ | ULED | 110-140 | 0.5-1 |
| LG NanoCell 90 Series | 65″ | NanoCell (LED) | 100-120 | 0.5-1 |
| Sony X80K | 55″ | LED | 70-90 | 0.5-1 |
| Vizio V-Series | 50″ | LED | 60-80 | 0.5-1 |
How Many Watts Does a 32-inch TV Use?
Many homeowners opt for 32-inch TVs because they are often affordable and lightweight while maintaining high picture quality. The watts used by the 32-inch TV will vary depending on the brand and technology. On average, LED models use between 30 and 55 watts, OLED TVs consume 55 to 60 watts, and LCD TVs use 50 to 85 watts. CRT TVs, which are older than the other models, consume the most watts on average, ranging between 150 and 200 watts.
How Many Watts Does a 55-inch TV Use?
A 55-inch TV is a larger TV model and is increasingly popular due to its picture quality. Power consumption can vary depending on the type of TV. For instance, a 55-inch LED TV typically uses between 60 to 90 watts, while a 55-inch OLED TV consumes around 105 to 110 watts.
How Much Electricity Does a TV Use?
Most TVs use between 50 and 200 watts of electricity, on average, with newer models consuming about 100 watts of electricity and older models consuming around 200 watts on average.
Here’s a quick example to help you better understand electricity consumption. If your TV uses 100 watts and you watch it for two hours a day, it will consume about 6 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month. Watching it for three hours a day would increase the monthly consumption to 9.1 kWh.
Cost of Electricity for a TV
The cost of powering a TV depends on factors including size, type and time used. For instance, a standard 55-inch LED TV uses an average of about 100 watts of power, and if watched for five hours a day, it would cost between $10 and $20 per year in electricity.
Larger models that use more energy, such as OLED or QLED TVs, may cost up to $30 to $50 per year, while plasma TVs cost about $60 or more per year for similar usage. And, of course, the rate you pay per kilowatt-hour will directly impact how much you pay for the electricity needed to power your TV.
Factors Affecting TV Power Consumption
Several factors determine how many watts a TV uses, including screen size and resolution.
Your TV’s Display technology also plays a key role in TV power usage. For example, LED TVs are typically more energy-efficient than LCD or CRT models. OLED and QLED displays, known for their superior picture quality, tend to use more power on average than other display types, although they are more efficient than CRT TVs. Brightness settings and the content you’re watching can also influence energy usage, as brighter images or high-contrast scenes often require more power.
Here’s a quick breakdown of factors that affect TV power consumption:
- Screen size
- Display
- Brightness
- Resolution
- Smart TV functions
- Background apps
- Energy-saving modes
- Leaving TV on standby
Calculate Your TV’s Power Usage
To calculate your TV’s power consumption, you first need to know its wattage. You can usually find the TV’s wattage in the user manual or on the TV label. If you cannot find the wattage, then there is a quick calculation that can help. Just multiply the maximum TV voltage by the amperage (Watts = Volts × Amps).
From there, you can determine your TV’s power usage and how much it will cost you.
First, multiply the TV’s wattage by the number of hours you use it per day to find daily power usage in watt-hours (Wh). Then, you will convert watt-hours to kilowatt-hours by dividing by 1,000. To estimate the cost, multiply the TV’s monthly kilowatt-hour usage by your electricity rate (usually listed on your utility bill).
Step-by-Step Calculation Guide
Here’s a full breakdown.
Suppose your TV uses 100 watts (0.1 kW), and you watch TV for 4 hours per day:
For daily power usage: 100 watts × 4 hours = 400 watt-hours or 0.4 kWh
For monthly power usage: 0.4 kWh/day × 30 days = 12 kWh per month.
If your electricity rate is $0.12 per kWh, the monthly cost would be:
12 kWh × $0.12 = $1.44 per month.
So, running your 100-watt TV for 4 hours a day would cost approximately $1.44 per month.
Understanding TV Power Consumption Basics
TVs use electricity primarily to power the display and internal components, speakers and processors. The amount of power consumed depends on the TV’s screen size, display technology and settings such as brightness and resolution.
When the TV is in its active state, it consumes the most power, typically ranging from 30 to 300 watts, depending on the model. In standby mode, the TV consumes much less electricity, usually around 0.5 to 5 watts, as it remains ready to turn on but isn’t actively displaying content. Some models also have a sleep or power-saving mode, which can further reduce power usage by dimming the screen or adjusting settings when not in active use.
Essential Power Terms Explained
Here’s a quick breakdown of important terms to know when talking about TVs and electricity.
- Watts: A unit of power that indicates how much electricity a TV uses. You can calculate it by multiplying volts by amps.
- Amps: A measure of electrical current, indicating the flow of electricity. Amps tell you how much current the TV uses at a given voltage. The higher the amps, the more current the TV draws. Amps are often used in conjunction with volts to calculate the total power consumption in watts.
- Volts: A measure of electrical potential difference, which is the “pressure” that pushes electricity through wires. TVs in the US typically operate on 120 volts. The voltage, together with the amps, determines the overall power consumption (watts) of the TV.
Energy Saving Tips
A few simple, minor adjustments can reduce the energy your TV uses. Lowering the screen brightness and enabling power-saving or eco modes can significantly reduce the overall energy consumption without affecting the picture quality of the TV. Another effective way to save energy is to turn off the TV completely when not in use, rather than leaving it on standby or unplugging the device completely. You can also opt for energy-efficient models, such as LED over OLED, which can make a noticeable difference in your monthly energy consumption.
Practical Power-Saving Strategies
- Lower the brightness settings.
- Switch to power-saving mode.
- Turn off the TV when it’s not in use.
- Buy a more energy-efficient model.
- Unplug your TV when you’re not going to use it for some time
Frequently Asked Questions About TV Watt Usage
How many watts does a smart TV use on standby?
Modern smart TVs typically use between 0.5 and 5 watts of power while in standby mode. Standy uses much less power than during active use, but it still contributes to your overall energy consumption.
Does a bigger TV use more electricity?
Yes, a bigger TV generally uses more electricity than a smaller model because it requires more power to illuminate a larger screen and produce brighter and sharper pictures. Bigger displays, especially those over 55 inches, tend to consume more watts, particularly if they use advanced technologies like OLED or QLED TVs. The increased power demand is directly related to both the size of the screen and the display technology used.
Which type of TV is most energy efficient?
LED TVs are typically the most energy-efficient because they use less power to illuminate the screen compared to LCD or CRT models. OLED TVs are less energy-efficient due to their higher power demands for bright, high-contrast images. QLED TVs fall between LED and OLED in terms of energy consumption, offering a balance of brightness and energy efficiency, though still consuming more power than standard LED models.
How can I reduce my TV’s power consumption?
There are a few easy and cost-free ways to reduce your TV’s power consumption. For starters, you can adjust the TV’s brightness or resolution to reduce energy use. You can also simply turn off the TV when it’s not in use or unplug it when you’re away to reduce unnecessary energy usage.
