How Many Watts Does a TV Use? Save Cost Solutions

If you are curious about how many watts your electrical appliances use and are asking questions like “How many watts does a TV use”? Or you just want to know how much power your electrical appliances use daily, etc.

Whatever the reason may be, this article is for you! If you’re interested in knowing about power and TVs, read on. It’s a helpful guide on how many watts does a TV use, the types of  TVs, watts against TV size, tips to save TV energy consumption, etc. 

Understanding TV Energy Consumption

TV power consumption depends on several factors, like the type of TV, the shape and size of the TV, and the electricity rate in your area etc. Different TV types, like LCD and CRT, have different energy consumption needs, and size is a big factor, so you need to understand how many watts a TV uses before reducing your TV energy consumption. 

Types of TV and Their Electricity Consumption in Watts 

The amount of electricity a TV consumes depends on its technology and size. Modern TVs come in only two types: LCD TV and OLED TV. CRT and Plasma TVs are old school, and plasma TVs are no longer in production.  

CRT TVs

Short for the Cathode Ray Tube, CRT  TVs use an electron beam and a phosphorescent screen to create images on the screen. The electron beams go back and forth on the screen to light up the phosphors that make pictures. Despite great color accuracy, deep black level, high contrast ratios, and good response times, they are older and bulkier than modern TVs. CRT TVs average around 60-150 watts of electricity per hour. 

Plasma TVs

In Plasma TVs, ionized gas between the two glass panels is used. The gas cells emit UV radiation, which then hits the blue, red, and green phosphors, creating color pictures on the screen. They offer excellent color accuracy, a vast range of angles, and a deep black level; however, they are prone to screen burn-in. On average, they use 100-300 watts per hour, so they are less energy efficient than modern TVs. 

LCD TVs

LCD TVs use a fluorescent backlight that shines on the liquid crystal solution sandwiched between two glass panels to create color images on the screen. Moreover, on average, LCD TVs cost around 50-150 watts per hour, making them a lot more energy-efficient. While thinner and less bulky than older models, they may suffer from lower contrast and color accuracy than other models. 

LED TVs

A subtype of LCD TVs, LED TVs use light-emitting diodes instead of the conventional fluorescent backlight. Hence, they consume less electricity, averaging 30-100 watts per hour. Along with better energy solutions, LED TVs also offer more brightness and color compared to LCD TVs. LED TVs come in two types, edge-lit and full-lit, and full-lit LED TVs offer more uniform backlighting and contrast levels. 

OLED TVs

Organic light-emitting diode TVs are a revolution in the television industry. The OLED TVs utilize organic compounds that give out light whenever electricity is given. Each pixel in OLED emits its light, meaning they can be individually turned off, and this offers perfect black levels (not just dim) and creates infinite contrast levels. 

Long story short, OLED TVs give us superior pictures and also save on energy since, on average, they use 50-200 watts per hour. The only drawback is that it’s the most expensive TV type out there!

Average Watts for Different TV Types and Sizes 

This table depicts the number of watts per hour consumed by different types of TVs of various sizes. CRT TVs aren’t found in larger screen sizes, and OLED TVs start from 42-inch sizes. 

Where to Find And How To Calculate Your TV’s Watt

If you have a modern TV like LED or OLED, these TVs are more energy efficient, often come with an ENERGY STARⓇ-rated sign, and consume around 150 watts. 

However, if you want a more specific number or want to know how many watts does a TV  use, you can check the black panel of your TV. The wattage and the brand, model number, and power rating should be listed there. Most models have them because the U.S. government has mandated companies to give proper EnergyGuide Level since 2011. 

However, if your TV doesn’t have a wattage listed, find the voltage and the maximum amperage (Amps Max) instead. You can get your TV's wattage by multiplying both voltages with Amps Max.

Furthermore, you can also check out the user manual or the retailers’ website for an estimate. 

How Much Does It Cost Per Year to Run a TV?

You can find the annual cost to run a TV by multiplying your TV's wattage by the number of hours you watch it daily. Then, you will multiply this answer by your area's average electricity cost. 

According to Eco Cost Saving Data, the average cost for U.S. residents is $ 16.04 annually. Your TV electricity cost per annum depends on your usage and other stuff, like if you turn off the TV or leave it on standby mode. 

Moreover, you can use solar generators like BLUETTI Solar Generator in tandem with solar panels to reduce the electricity a TV uses per year. Check out how solar generators help you save money.

Tips for Reducing TV Energy Consumption 

You can use the following tips and tricks to reduce your TV energy consumption. 

• Standby Mode and Turning off the TV

Leaving your TV on standby mode helps. Usually, a TV uses around 0.5W to 3W per hour in standby mode. While on standby mode, a TV resumes its functions faster, makes automatic updates, and uses 5% less power than when turned on. 

However, you can simply unplug your TV and other appliances at night to save your electricity cost. It also promotes appliance longevity because it protects them from sudden power surges. 

• Change the Brightness and Contrast Settings

More often than not; modern TVs have default higher brightness and contrast settings. You can manually reduce these settings to reduce energy costs, and the quality isn’t compromised in the least. 

• Use Built-in Energy-Saving Features

You should take advantage of built-in features that help to adjust and control brightness, contrast, etc. Sleep timers, for example, help save energy. When you fall asleep, the TV will automatically turn off and won’t disturb your sleep. 

You just need to go into the settings part of your TV, select eco-saving (it could be in another similar name), and choose the type, like low saving, medium saving, high saving, etc., whatever suits you. 

• Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient TV

These tips can help lower energy costs by a good margin, but even they won’t work if you have an older TV model like CRT or Plasma. If you’re serious about cutting down your TV energy consumption costs, why not upgrade to a modern TV? 

While a newer model will have higher upfront costs, it will help lower your electricity bill in the long run. Look for TVs with ENERGY STARⓇ-rated labels as they are customized to save electricity. 

• Portable Power Station

If you have a solar panel system in place, you can save on electrical energy by providing an alternative energy source. Instead of using direct electricity, you can store the solar energy in a portable power station. BLUETTI AC180 Solar Portable Power Station is a great option, and it pairs wonderfully with solar panels. 

This BLUETTI power station offers features like 11 output ports for multiple devices, four flexible ways to recharge using AC/Solar/Car/Generator, and smart control via the BLUETTI app. Moreover, it boosts an 1152Wh larger capacity and a capacity of 0.80% recharging when connected to a 1,440W AC input in 45 minutes. 

Such type of portable power station offers a greener energy solution, will reduce your reliance on the grid system, and help save overall energy costs. You can run your TV on solar and support sustainable energy systems.  

FAQs About TV Power Consumption 

Q. Do TVs use a lot of electricity?

Usually, modern TVs like LED and OLED use an average of 58.6 watts or 30-100 watts per hour when turned on and running. However, this number can vary depending on the size and the type of TV. Small TVs consume less electricity, and larger TVs use more electricity. However, if you’re still using older TVs like CRT or Plasma, they can consume up to 200 watts per hour. 

Q. How much electricity does a TV use when off?

When turned off, a TV enters standby mode if you don’t unplug it. Usually, TVs consume around 0.5W to 3W per hour, depending on the size, type, and other factors. Modern TVs have an average of 1.3W for power consumption. While it may not seem much, it can accumulate over time, so you should use power strips or unplug completely. 

Q. How many batteries do I need to run a TV?

For smaller TVs, a battery is helpful, and if you watch TV for 2-3 hours daily, a 12V 100Ah lithium or a 12V 200Ah lead acid battery should last 4-7 days. According to Renewable Wise, a 65W LCD TV can run for 8 hours on a 12V 100Ah AGM Battery. However, for longer use, it’s recommended to use a power station or a generator instead. 

Q. Is it expensive to leave your TV on all day?

A modern new TV will use around 32W to 90W of power, and the average of this range will be 60W. At this wattage, if you run a TV for 12 hours, your electricity cost per day will be $2.60 if your electricity rate is 12 cents per kWh. Similarly, if you leave it on standby mode, it also adds up electricity cost and it will be expensive in the long run. 

Q. Should you unplug your TV every night?

It’s not necessary, but unplugging your TV will lower your electricity costs and prevent the TV from being damaged by abrupt power surges and power outages. Plus your TV will save if there is a lightning storm outside. 

Final Thoughts

Understanding how many watts does a TV use is important if you want to reduce your TV energy consumption and shift to solar panels. The size and the type of TV determine the wattage number, and you can easily find this number on the TV model or calculate it yourself. 

Moreover, you can save on TV power costs by turning it off at night, lowering the brightness and contrast levels, upgrading to a newer model, or storing solar energy with a portable power station. In the long run, cutting down on energy usage will be beneficial and save you dollars.