Understanding TV Energy Consumption: How Many Watts Does a TV Use?

Nowadays, TV has become the most popular source of entertainment for most people. Different streaming platforms emerged especially during the recent pandemic when everyone spends most of their time at home.

Nothing is truly more relaxing than sitting in front of the TV, be it binge-watching, bonding with your family, or just passing time. However, are you aware of how much energy your TV consumes? How Many Watts Does a TV Use? As someone who loves watching TV, but is mindful of the electric bill, this article might be a good read for you.

Different Types of TV and TV Energy Consumption

Let us first identify the different types of TV and their power consumption. As a consumer, you must be aware of how much your appliances consume before buying them.

CRT TV

A CRT TV is a type of television that was used during old times before flat-screen TVs were invented. It uses cathode ray tube (CRT) technology to produce images that are also applicable to other types of pictures on computers, monitors, and other screens. For the safety of the users, this television is designed to have big, heavy, and fragile glass to block X-ray emissions.

CRT TVs are now outdated because other types of televisions are cheaper to make, and smaller in terms of design. To make your CRT TVs up to date, convert them to a smart TV using digital media hubs and compatible cables like HDMI or VGA. There are also electronics recycling companies that could help in case you feel like your old TV is not useful for you anymore. Its energy consumption averages around 60 to 100 watts per hour and when in standby mode, it consumes about 2 to 3 watts per hour.

Plasma TV

What about the Plasma TVs? Televisions that have Plasma displays are bigger than other TVs, usually ranging from 40 inches to 65 inches.  This is made up of a lot of small cells with noble gases inside them and a tiny amount of mercury.  When electricity flows through the cells, the gases turn into plasma and produce light that creates the picture we see on the screen. This is a good use when you want to have a home cinema because Plasma TVs are better in low-light rooms and their black displays are better than other types. Additionally, its wide-angle viewing ensures that everyone watching would experience the same quality of display, regardless of where you sit.

Compared to other models, this type is not that energy efficient. A 30-inch plasma TV generally uses about 150 watts per hour, and when in standby mode, it consumes around 0.5 watts of power.

LCD TV

An LCD TV, on the other hand, is a flat panel television that has the same LCD or liquid crystal display technology that is commonly used in cellphones, cameras, and computer monitors. This consists of several layers that work together to display the images we see on screen. This is best used in rooms with windows, glass doors, and a lot of bright lights because it does not reflect light that would make it difficult to see the screen.

Generally, LCD TVs are a great combination of picture quality and low power consumption. But still, it depends on the size of the TV. For example, a 50-inch LCD TV consumes 50-60 watts per hour.

LED TV

What is an LED TV This type is also an LCD TV but uses LED (light emitting diodes) technology rather than the CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamps). LED TVs are more power efficient, have a slimmer design compared to other types, and display quality images on the screen. LCD TVs can last for up to 100,000 hours (11 and a half years) on average. If you opt for a long-lasting TV that is more energy efficient and has good quality overall, then an LED TV works for you.

The power consumption of this type of TV is 40% lower compared to other models. The energy consumption of LED TVs also depends on their size. It can range from 10W to 117W with an average of 59W when it’s turned on, while 0.5W to 3.5 on standby.

OLED TV

OLED stands for Organic light-emitting diode, and this is the technology used by an OLED TV. It is quite similar to LED TVs but uses millions of pixels to produce images on screen rather than using a separate backlight. With this technology, it can produce a higher quality image, brighter colors, and faster motions. It is commonly used in high-end smartphones. This type is the best choice when you like watching sports or game shows.

Considering that it has good features and technology, the power consumption of OLED TVs is higher than others. A 60-inch OLED TV uses 100 watts per hour, while up to 50 watts when in standby mode.

How Many Watts Does a TV Use?

Now that you have read about the different types of TV, you might have the question: “Does the size of the TV affect energy consumption?”. The answer is yes! The size of your TV is a major factor that affects consumption because the bigger the size, the more electronic components consume electricity. Bigger TVs have bigger screens and quality images which require more energy.

It is also important to note different types of TV because some may be smaller in size, but not necessarily energy efficient. It depends on the features and the technology that it uses. Normally a modern TV uses around 15 to 200 Watts, TV wattage various considerably with screen size and types.

For better understanding, presented below is tabulated data of the average power consumption (in watts) of different types of television. Note that the blank details could mean that it is not applicable.

The Size of TV and its Power Consumption

Generators Applicable to TVs

A portable power station or a generator may not be essential but having one might give you a lot of benefits. It is not just for your outdoor activities, but it can also be used for emergency purposes such as sudden power outages. Portable power stations can be used not only for small devices like mobile phones and laptops but did you know that they can also power large appliances - particularly a television?

How Long Can A Portable Power Station Power Your TV?

The following table is a example of how long solar generators can support your TV. We’ve taken a general example of TV wattage as 100W. From the table below, you can certainly obtain this formula to calculate your TV’s exclusive supported Hours:

*Working Time = Capacity(Wh) * 0.85 / Operating Wattage of TV

Commonly Asked Questions about Energy Consumption of TVs

TVs in Standby Mode

Some people might think that televisions on standby mode do not consume energy, but in fact, it does consume energy for up to 5 watts. That’s why it must be unplugged when not actively used, to ensure that you are conserving energy.

Average TV Energy Use

The precise calculation for energy consumption of TVs is not easily determined due to having a variety of models, sizes, and features but on average, a TV uses 50 to 200 watts. There are different factors affecting the energy consumption of TVs and with the advancement of technology, manufacturers have designed TVs to be more efficient. It’s always better to check the label to determine its specifications.

Some Tips for Your Next Television Purchase

To summarize, the most important thing to consider in buying a television is to understand its technology and features. That means, understanding how a TV works before buying, would help you in making informed decisions based on your preferred specifications and long-term usage, to ensure that your money is worth it.

Some features can be overwhelming which makes it hard to choose if you do not know what you are looking for. Other than that, it is also good to consider the size of the TV since it impacts energy consumption and may consume a large portion of space in your home.

Additionally, when you are trying to save energy to lessen the electricity bill, keep in mind that TVs in idle mode or not in use must be unplugged. The consumption may be small at first but when added weekly or monthly, you might be surprised by the total consumption.

Also Read: 7 Ways to Save Your Electricity Bills in the US in 2024

If you have a portable power station or a generator installed at home, you can consider running your TV with it so you could still enjoy watching while being off the grid. Dealing with a high-priced electric bill can be a burden especially if electronic appliances are not carefully considered, that’s why individuals should understand how energy consumption works and how much that would cost.