How Many Watts Does a TV Use? Power Consumption Guide 2025
Ever wonder how much watts does a TV use? It's one of those household appliances we don't think much about, but considering it's on for hours some days, it's worth understanding its energy usage. A TV's wattage can vary greatly depending on the size, type, and features, impacting both your electricity bill and environmental footprint. Let's dig into the details and see what factors play a role in your TV's energy consumption, and how you can minimize it without giving up your favorite shows.
How Many Watts Does a TV Use?
The wattage consumption of a TV depends on its type, size, and technology. Generally, modern TVs are designed to be energy-efficient, but older models and larger screens may have higher wattage requirements. On average, TVs consume anywhere from 30 to 300 watts per hour, depending on the specific type and size.
Below is a breakdown of how many watts does a TV take based on TV types and screen size.
Screen Size (Inches) | LED TV Watts | OLED TV Watts | LCD TV Watts | CRT TV Watts | Plasma TV Watts |
15-inch TV | 15 W | N/A | 18 W | 65 W | N/A |
17-inch TV | 18 W | N/A | 20 W | 75 W | N/A |
20-inch TV | 24 W | N/A | 26 W | 90 W | N/A |
24-inch TV | 35 W | N/A | 50 W | 120 W | N/A |
32-inch TV | 41 W | N/A | 70 W | 150-200 W | 160 W |
42-inch TV | 57 W | 75 W | 120 W | N/A | 220 W |
50-inch TV | 72 W | 89 W | 150 W | N/A | 300 W |
55-inch TV | 80 W | 98 W | 180 W | N/A | 370 W |
60-inch TV | 88 W | 107 W | 200 W | N/A | 500 W |
When it comes to the hourly rates, you can simply calculate the daily television electricity consumption by multiplying the hourly wattage by the number of hours the TV is used per day. For example, a TV consuming 100 watts per hour used for 5 hours per day would consume 500 watt-hours (0.5 kWh) daily.
Factors Influencing TV Wattage
Understanding what affects TV wattage is key to managing energy use effectively. Several critical factors contribute to TV power consumption:
1. TV Type and Technology: Screen technology influences energy usage. LED TVs use lower wattage compared to plasma TVs, while OLED TVs’ consumption varies with content brightness. CRT TVs, being outdated, are among the least energy-efficient.
2. Screen Size: Larger screens naturally consume more power. For instance, a 32-inch LED TV uses 41 watts, while a 65-inch LED TV may consume up to 200 watts.
3. Screen Resolution: Higher resolutions demand more power to deliver enhanced display quality. A Full HD TV typically uses less power than a 4K or 8K television.
4. Brightness Settings: Increased brightness raises power consumption. Reducing brightness can lower energy usage significantly without sacrificing picture quality.
5. Usage Patterns: Activities such as gaming or streaming content consume more energy than watching standard cable TV. Similarly, leaving a TV on standby still draws power, albeit less than being actively powered on.
6. Energy Efficiency Rating: Models with an ENERGY STAR stamp certification are designed to operate more efficiently, including features like adaptive brightness and automatic shut-off.
How to Calculate Your TV's Energy Usage?
Calculating your TV’s energy usage helps you understand how it contributes to monthly electricity costs. Manufacturers typically provide amp and voltage ratings on the device, which can help you determine wattage. Here’s how to calculate energy usage step-by-step:
Step 1: Determine Wattage
Use the formula:
Wattage = Amps × Volts
For example, if your TV operates at 120 volts and has an amp rating of 0.8333 amps:
Wattage = 0.8333 × 120 = 100 watts.
Step 2: Calculate Daily Energy Consumption
Use the following formula:
Energy (kWh) = (Power (Watts) × Time (Hours)) / 1000
If your TV consumes 100 watts and you use it for 4 hours daily:
Energy (kWh) = (100 × 4) / 1000 = 0.4 kWh/day.
How Much Does It Cost to Power a TV?
Electricity costs vary depending on location, but a typical Canadian electricity rate is $0.1543 per kWh. Using the example above for the cost calculation:
Monthly Cost = Daily Energy × Electricity Rate × 30 days
Yearly Cost = Annual Energy × Electricity Rate
For a 100W TV with 4 hours daily usage:
Monthly Cost = (0.4 × $0.1543) × 30 = $1.85
Yearly Cost = 146 × $0.1543 = $22.51
Here are the estimated costs categorized by TV type:
Type of TV | Wattage Range | Average Daily Usage (hours/day) | Average Monthly Energy Cost ($) | Average Yearly Energy Cost ($) |
CRT | 80–200 | 6 | $6.96 | $83.52 |
LCD | 40–120 | 6 | $5.18 | $62.16 |
Plasma | 150–400 | 6 | $34.65 | $415.80 |
LED | 30–100 | 6 | $2.48 | $29.76 |
OLED | 50–150 | 6 | $7.39 | $88.68 |
Tips to Reduce TV Energy Consumption and Cost
Reducing TV energy usage can help lower electricity bills without compromising on entertainment quality. Here are some smart, actionable tips:
1. Lower the brightness
Most TVs come with the brightness cranked up straight out of the box. Dialing it down to a comfortable level not only saves energy but also puts less strain on your eyes, especially in dimly lit rooms.
2. Use energy-saving modes
Many modern TVs have built-in energy-saving or eco modes. These adjust screen brightness and turn off certain background functions that you probably won’t miss. It’s an easy setting change that adds up over time.
3. Turn it off when not in use
It’s easy to leave the TV running in the background, especially during the day. But those hours add up. Make a habit of switching it off when no one’s watching, or set a sleep timer at night so it powers down automatically.
4. Upgrade to an efficient TV
If your current TV is over a decade old, it’s probably using more power than necessary. Look for models with high energy ratings. LED TVs are usually more efficient than plasma or OLED, especially in larger sizes.
5. Unplug unused devices
Got a game console, Blu-ray player, or speaker system you rarely use? If they’re always plugged in, they’re probably always drawing a bit of power. Unplugging them when they’re not in use is a simple habit that can trim down your energy bill over time. Even your Starlink router and dish pull standby power when idle—turning them off or using a smart power strip to cut power completely will boost your savings.
6. Use a solar generator to power your TV setup
If you already have solar panels or plan to add them, pairing them with a solar-compatible power station is a smart way to run your entertainment gear without relying on the grid. It’s a clean way to power your screen time without adding to your electricity bill.
That’s where something like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Portable Power Station really shines. It’s a full-scale power station with up to 25kWh of expandable storage, which can easily support your TV, modem, speakers, and more. With 3600W–7200W AC output, it covers nearly all household electronics, and the long-lasting LFP battery is built to go strong for up to 10 years.
EcoFlow DELTA Pro Portable Power Station
Conclusion
Indeed, knowing how many watts your TV uses and what drives those numbers is a simple yet effective step toward smarter energy use. Whether you’re trying to cut back on costs or adopt greener habits, there are practical ways to lower your TV’s energy consumption without missing out on entertainment. So, why not take a moment to look into your TV’s energy settings today? Small changes can lead to big savings—it’s worth a shot!
FAQs
How much power does a 65 inch TV use?
A 65-inch TV typically consumes between 200 and 250 watts, depending on the display technology and brightness settings. For example, LED models are more energy-efficient compared to older plasma TVs, which often require higher wattage. If watched for three hours daily, energy consumption could range from 218 to 273.75 kWh annually.
How much electricity does a 55 inch TV use?
The electricity usage of a 55-inch TV depends on its type of technology. LCD TVs typically consume around 180 watts, while LED models average 80 watts and OLED versions require around 98 watts. Plasma TVs are the most power-intensive and can use up to 370 watts. Usage habits, higher brightness settings, and additional features like HDR may further affect energy consumption.
How many watts is a 40 inch TV?
A 40-inch TV generally uses between 50 to 100 watts. LED models average around 50 watts, making them more energy-efficient compared to LCD versions, which can consume up to 100 watts. Plasma TVs in this size category are the least efficient, requiring as much as 200 watts. Screen brightness and specific features also influence power consumption.
Can 500W run a TV?
Yes, a 500W power source can run most TVs, as modern TVs typically consume between 50 and 300 watts. Even high-consumption models like large plasma TVs, which might draw closer to 400-500 watts, could still operate within this capacity, provided no other high-wattage devices are connected simultaneously.