Screen size and brightness matter
A large bright TV can use much more electricity than a smaller screen at moderate brightness. Vivid or store-demo picture modes often use more power than standard or energy-saving modes.
Electronics
A 120 watt TV costs about $0.10 to run for 5 hours at $0.17 per kWh.
Quick estimate
This uses 120 watts, 5 hours per day, and an electricity rate of $0.17 per kWh.
TV power use changes with screen size, brightness, display technology, and picture mode.
Many tv units fall around 120 watts, with a rough range of 50 to 250 watts. Check the product label, user manual, or manufacturer specifications for the most accurate number.
| Estimate | Watts | Hours per day | Daily cost | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low estimate | 50W | 2.50 | $0.02 | $0.64 |
| Typical use | 120W | 5 | $0.10 | $3.06 |
| High estimate | 250W | 7.50 | $0.32 | $9.56 |
Convert watts to kilowatts, multiply by the number of hours used, then multiply by your electricity rate.
Cost = Watts / 1000 x Hours Used x Electricity Rate For this tv example: 120 / 1000 x 5 x 0.17 = $0.10 per day.
These details make this estimate more useful for real-world use.
A large bright TV can use much more electricity than a smaller screen at moderate brightness. Vivid or store-demo picture modes often use more power than standard or energy-saving modes.
This calculator estimates the TV wattage you enter. If you use a streaming box, game console, soundbar, or receiver, add those devices separately for a full entertainment setup estimate.
Lower brightness and enable automatic power saving when the picture still looks good.
The easiest way to improve the estimate is to replace the default values with your actual wattage, average runtime, and local electricity rate.
Wattage ranges are practical planning estimates for common household appliances. Actual use can differ by model, age, settings, room conditions, and maintenance.
A 120 watt TV costs about $0.10 to run for 5 hours at $0.17 per kWh.
Use the wattage printed on the appliance label when possible. As a starting estimate, this page uses 120 watts and shows a common range of 50 to 250 watts.
Electricity bills include many appliances, fees, taxes, seasonal changes, and utility rate structures. This calculator estimates appliance energy cost only.
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