How Much Electricity Does a TV Use?
A modern LED TV uses 30-150 watts depending on size: 32" TVs use about 30-55W, 50" TVs use 70-120W, and 65"+ TVs use 100-150W. Running a 50" TV for 5 hours daily costs about $3-5 per month.
Key Takeaways
- TV power consumption has dropped dramatically.
- Smart TVs in standby still draw 1-5 watts—consider a power strip.
- Gaming or using TV apps may increase power draw slightly.
Explanation
TV power consumption has dropped dramatically. Old CRT TVs used 100-400 watts, while modern LED/LCD TVs use 30-150 watts. OLED TVs fall between LCD and plasma in efficiency.
Screen size is the biggest factor in power consumption. A 32-inch LED TV might use only 30 watts, while a 75-inch TV can use 150 watts or more. Brightness settings also significantly impact power draw.
To calculate your TV's monthly cost: (watts × hours per day × 30 days) ÷ 1000 × electricity rate. At $0.16/kWh, a 100W TV watched 5 hours daily costs about $2.40/month. Try the Power Cost Calculator for your exact rate.
Things to Know
- Smart TVs in standby still draw 1-5 watts—consider a power strip.
- Gaming or using TV apps may increase power draw slightly.
- Energy Star rated TVs are 25-30% more efficient than standard models.