How Much Does It Cost to Run a TV?
A typical TV uses about 100 watts, which costs about $0.02 per hour. Used 5 hours a day, that is $0.09 per day, $3 per month and about $33 per year at the US average of about 18 cents per kWh. Change the numbers below for your own model and rate.
Typical estimate: 5 hours a day for a 55-inch LED TV. These are typical estimates – check your own label or use a plug-in meter for exact figures.
TV running cost by electricity rate
Rates vary widely across the country. $0.12 is typical of low-cost areas, $0.18 is about the national average, and $0.25–$0.35 or more is common in high-cost areas such as parts of California, New England and Hawaii.
| Rate per kWh | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0.12 | $0.012 | $0.06 | $1.83 | $22 |
| $0.18 | $0.018 | $0.09 | $2.74 | $33 |
| $0.25 | $0.025 | $0.13 | $3.80 | $46 |
| $0.35 | $0.035 | $0.18 | $5.32 | $64 |
Based on 100 W for 5 h/day; month = 30.42 days.
Cost by hours of use per day
| Hours per day | kWh per month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 h | 9 | $0.05 | $1.64 | $20 |
| 5 h | 15 | $0.09 | $2.74 | $33 |
| 8 h | 24 | $0.14 | $4.38 | $53 |
At 18 cents per kWh and 100 W.
Low, typical and high wattage
A modern 55-inch LED TV typically draws about 60–150 W when on; larger OLED and bright HDR picture modes can reach 200 W or more.
| Case | Watts | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 50 | $0.009 | $1.37 | $16 |
| Typical | 100 | $0.018 | $2.74 | $33 |
| High | 200 | $0.036 | $5.48 | $66 |
At 5 h/day and 18 cents per kWh.
How it is calculated
100 W × 5 h ÷ 1,000 = 0.5 kWh per day
0.5 kWh × $0.18 = $0.09 per day
$0.09 × 30.42 days = $2.74 per month
How to cut the cost of running a TV
- Turn off "vivid" and "dynamic" picture modes. Home or cinema mode usually cuts brightness and power; Hydro-Québec reports TVs use about 25% more energy in bright preset modes than with automatic brightness control.
- Disable quick-start and always-listening voice features if you do not use them; standby adds a few watts all day.
- Turn on the ambient light sensor so the TV dims in a dark room.
- Screen size matters: larger screens draw considerably more power than smaller ones at the same settings.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a TV per month?
At 18 cents per kWh, a typical 100 W TV used 5 hours a day costs about $2.74 per month (15 kWh). That is about $33 a year.
How much does it cost to run a TV per hour?
About $0.018 per hour at 18 cents per kWh, or $0.035 per hour if you pay 35 cents per kWh. Multiply by your hours of use to estimate any day.
Why does the cost of a TV vary so much?
Wattage varies by model and setting – from 50 W to 200 W here. At the same 5 hours a day and 18 cents per kWh, that is $1 to $5 per month. Your electricity rate matters just as much: at 35 cents per kWh the typical unit costs $5 per month.