How Much Electricity Does a TV Use?
A television is a small load next to a heater or a dryer. What adds up is the hours: many sets are on for a large part of every day.
Quick answer
Find the watts on the label on the back of the TV, then multiply by the hours it is on. A 100-watt TV uses 0.1 kWh per hour, about 2 cents at the U.S. average rate of 18.31 cents per kWh (July 2026). At 5 hours a day that is about 9 cents a day and $2.78 a month. A 300-watt set costs three times as much.
- Difficulty
- Easy DIY
- 100 W for 5 hours a day
- About $2.78 a month
- 300 W for 5 hours a day
- About $8.35 a month
- ENERGY STAR sleep mode
- 0.5 W or less
- Rate used
- 18.31¢/kWh, U.S. average (EIA)
On this page
A television draws far less power than anything that makes heat. A space heater uses 1,500 watts; most TVs use a small fraction of that. The cost comes from the hours.
Find your TV’s watts
- Read the label on the back of the set. It lists the power in watts, or the amps and volts. Multiply amps by volts to get watts.
- Check the manual or the manufacturer’s specification page for the model. Look for “power consumption” or “on mode power”.
- Measure it. A plug-in electricity monitor shows the real draw with your picture settings. Brightness makes a large difference, so this is the most accurate method.
The calculation
Cost per hour = watts ÷ 1,000 × your rate per kWh
A 100-watt TV: 100 ÷ 1,000 = 0.1 kWh per hour. At 18.31¢ per kWh that is about 2 cents per hour.
Cost by wattage
Calculated at 18.31¢ per kWh, the U.S. average residential rate for July 2026 reported by the Energy Information Administration. A month is 30.4 days.
| TV draw | Per hour | 5 hours a day | Month at 5 hours a day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 W | 1¢ | 5¢ | $1.39 |
| 100 W | 2¢ | 9¢ | $2.78 |
| 150 W | 3¢ | 14¢ | $4.17 |
| 300 W | 5¢ | 27¢ | $8.35 |
The same 100-watt TV, 5 hours a day for a month, at other rates:
| At 12¢/kWh | At 18.31¢/kWh | At 25¢/kWh | At 35¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1.82 | $2.78 | $3.80 | $5.32 |
For your own watts, hours and rate, use the appliance energy cost calculator.
How a TV compares with the rest of the house
The Energy Information Administration puts the average U.S. home’s electricity purchases at about 899 kWh a month. A 100-watt TV watched 5 hours a day uses about 15 kWh of that, under 2 percent. A 300-watt set on for the same hours uses about 46 kWh, around 5 percent.
That puts a television well below the appliances that heat or cool. For comparison, at the same U.S. average rate:
| Appliance | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| 100 W TV, 5 hours a day | About $2.78 a month |
| 100 W fan, 8 hours a day | About $4.45 a month |
| Refrigerator rated 500 kWh a year | About $7.63 a month |
| 900 W window air conditioner, 8 hours a day | About $40 a month |
| 1,500 W space heater, 8 hours a day | About $67 a month |
See the guides for air conditioners, clothes dryers and space heaters.
Standby power
A TV that is “off” but plugged in is in standby. ENERGY STAR certified televisions must use 0.5 watts or less in sleep mode. Half a watt for a whole year is about 4.4 kWh, which costs about 80 cents at the U.S. average rate.
Devices connected to the TV are a separate matter. A game console, a cable or satellite box, a soundbar and a streaming stick each have their own standby draw, and some features, such as “instant on”, raise it. A power strip with a switch turns them all off at once.
Ways to use less
- Lower the brightness. Showroom or “vivid” picture modes are the brightest and draw the most power. A standard or “eco” mode is usually comfortable at home.
- Turn on the automatic brightness sensor if the TV has one, so it dims in a dark room.
- Use the sleep timer if you fall asleep with the TV on.
- Look for the ENERGY STAR label when you buy. ENERGY STAR states that certified televisions are, on average, about 34 percent more energy efficient than conventional models.
Related guides: how much electricity a refrigerator uses and how much electricity a fan uses.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a TV use?
It depends on the screen size, the technology and the brightness setting. The exact figure is on the label on the back of the set and in the manual. For older sets, Virginia Cooperative Extension lists 65 to 110 watts for a 19-inch color TV, 113 watts for a 27-inch, 133 watts for a 36-inch and 170 watts for a 53 to 61-inch projection set.
Does a TV use electricity when it is off?
A little. A TV in standby still powers its remote sensor and network connection. ENERGY STAR certified televisions must use 0.5 watts or less in sleep mode, which is under 5 kWh a year, less than a dollar at the U.S. average rate.
Does a bigger TV use more electricity?
Generally yes. A larger screen has more area to light. ENERGY STAR sets its on-mode limits according to screen area for that reason. Compare the watts on the labels to be sure.
How much does it cost to leave a TV on all day?
A 100-watt TV left on for 24 hours uses 2.4 kWh, about 44 cents at the U.S. average rate. Over a month that is about $13.
Sources
- Televisions ENERGY STAR
- How much electricity does an American home use? U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Estimating Appliance and Home Electronic Energy Use (publication 2901-9014) Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech
- Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A: Average Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers U.S. Energy Information Administration
First published October 8, 2026. Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Spot an error? Tell us and we will check it against the source.