Televisions have become central to our homes, but most homeowners have never actually thought about how much electricity theirs uses. Here’s a practical breakdown.
TV Power Use by Type
- LED TVs typically use 30–100 watts
- OLED TVs run a bit higher, around 50–150 watts, for their higher-quality display
- Older plasma TVs can use 200 watts or more
Power Use by Screen Size
- 32-inch: 30–50 watts
- 40–50-inch: 60–100 watts
- 55–65-inch: 100–150 watts
- 70+ inch: 150–200+ watts
Don’t Forget Standby Power
Even off, most TVs draw a small amount of power in standby mode — typically 0.5 to 3 watts, more for smart TVs maintaining a network connection. It’s minor on its own, but it adds up over a year, especially across multiple devices in a home.
Estimating Your Actual Cost
The basic formula: (TV wattage × hours used per day) ÷ 1000 = kWh per day. A 100-watt TV running 5 hours a day uses about 0.5 kWh daily — multiply that by your local electricity rate to see the actual cost. For most households, a TV is a fairly small piece of the overall electric bill compared to HVAC, water heating, and major appliances, but it’s an easy one to estimate.
A Few Practical Ways to Cut TV Energy Use
- Turn TVs off at the source rather than leaving them on standby
- Look for ENERGY STAR certified models when buying new
- Reduce screen brightness, which meaningfully affects power draw
- Use a smart plug or timer if standby power is a concern
Thinking About Your Home’s Overall Energy Use?
A TV is a small piece of your electric bill, but if you’re noticing consistently high usage across your home, it’s often worth a broader look at your electrical system rather than any one device. Mauro Electric Inc. has served Bothell and the greater Seattle area since 1998. Contact us if you’d like a hand figuring out where your home’s energy is actually going, or call 360-653-5300.
