Do TVs Use a Lot of Electricity? A Comprehensive Guide to TV Wattage

Did you know that within the U.S., homes, apartments, and other residences account for 21% of the nation’s total energy consumption? As individuals, we use a tremendous amount of energy to power our homes and appliances. As the cost of living and energy prices continue to rise steadily, understanding the impact your appliance usage has on your overall energy use can help alleviate some financial stress. Let’s start with our favorite entertainment system—the TV. Does the TV use a lot of electricity? How much electricity does a TV use? Do TVs use energy when they’re turned off? We’re going to tackle these questions and more to help you optimize your energy use without sacrificing your favorite shows.

At a Glance

• Most modern TVs use between 50 and 200 watts when turned on. This translates to 0.05–0.2 kilowatt-hours (kWh).
• TV energy use makes up a relatively small share of your home’s energy bill.

How Many Watts Does a TV Use?

TV wattage varies depending on the model, size, and special features of the TV. The average modern TV wattage is between 50 and 200 watts. This is a helpful average to keep in mind. Before we can get into the formula for calculating TV energy use, it’s important to understand what “watts” mean.

What "Watts" Really Mean

When measuring how much electricity a TV uses, you’ll often see wattage listed as the unit of measurement.

• Watts (W): Measure how much power the TV draws at any given moment.
• Kilowatt-hours (kWh): Measure how much energy is consumed over time.

Although you may see watts on various appliances such as your TV, kilowatt-hours are what you will see on your electricity bills so it’s important to understand how they are correlated.

How to Calculate Your TV's Energy Use

You can estimate your TV’s energy usage with this simple formula:

kWh = (TV Wattage × Hours Used per Day) ÷ 1000

Let’s plug in some numbers as an example. A 100-watt television that is running for 5 hours will use:

100 W × 5 hours ÷ 1000 = 0.5 kWh

You can then multiply the outcome by 30 to get the average monthly usage:
0.5 kWh per day × 30 days = 15 kWh/month.

Typical Wattage by TV Type

The type of TV you have will impact its power consumption, with some using significantly less power than others. The chart below breaks down common TV types and their wattage range.

Estimated Monthly and Annual TV Energy Costs

Your electricity bill does not itemize your use by appliance so it can be helpful to estimate how much each appliance uses. The numbers in the chart below are based on a TV with a wattage of 100, and 5 hours of watching per day.

Factors That Impact TV Energy Use

• Screen Size: Larger TVs consume more electricity.
• Resolution: 4K and 8K TVs use more processing power than HD models.
• Brightness Settings: Vivid or Dynamic modes can use 20–40% more power than Eco Mode.
• Smart TV Features: Wi-Fi, apps, and always-on microphones can also consume extra power.

TV Energy-Saving Tips

• Lower the brightness and switch to Eco Mode if available.
• Turn the TV fully off instead of leaving it in standby mode.
• Use a smart power strip to cut standby power consumption.
• Choose ENERGY STAR-rated TVs for optimal energy efficiency.

FAQs

How much electricity does a TV use per hour?

Most TVs use between 50 and 200 watts, which is equivalent to 0.05–0.2 kWh per hour of viewing.

What type of TV consumes the least electricity?

LED TVs are the most energy-efficient television choice, using between 50–100 watts. You can also look for TVs with energy-saving modes and consult EnergyGuide labels to compare the energy efficiency of different models.

Do smart TVs use more power than regular TVs?

Yes. Due to the extra features that smart TVs have, such as Wi-Fi and background functions, they typically have a higher wattage. However, the difference is reasonably marginal.

Is my TV a big part of my electricity bill?

No. Even higher wattage TVs typically account for less than 5% of the average household’s total electricity use.

What About Standby Power?

Even when they are powered off, TVs still draw some standby or vampire power. Vampire power is a term for the power a device consumes when turned off but plugged in. Households waste vast amounts of energy on vampire power every year. This is the energy you’re paying for but gaining no benefit from.

TVs can use up to 5% of the total power they consume while in standby mode. Although this is equivalent to only a few dollars, it is worth being mindful of the wasted energy.

Do TVs Use a Lot of Electricity

Now that we have all the information, we can answer the question—do TVs use a lot of electricity? Compared to other appliances in the home, TVs are a relatively small contributor to household energy use. Still, choosing an energy-efficient model and prioritizing energy-saving habits can help you reduce your electricity costs further.

Reduce Your Energy Use with Community Solar

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to how much electricity a TV uses. Whether you’re interested in buying a new, energy-efficient model, or looking to make some small changes in the way you use the TV you already have, we hope this guide has armed you with the tools you need to make informed choices for your energy use!

If you’re still worried about your energy bills, community solar might be an effective solution for you! You can join a Nexamp community solar farm with no money down and save between 10% and 15% on energy bills!