How much does it cost to run a TV?
A TV costs about 1.4¢ per hour, 7.4¢ a day, $2.24 a month and $27 a year at typical use (5 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Typical LED-LCD 4K TVs draw 60-120 W in standard picture mode; HDR and vivid modes can nearly double that. Five hours a day is close to the US household average.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 in. | 35 | 0.6¢ | 3.3¢ | $1.01 | $12 |
| 55 in. | 80 | 1.4¢ | 7.4¢ | $2.24 | $27 |
| 65 in. | 110 | 2.0¢ | 10¢ | $3.06 | $37 |
| 75 in. | 140 | 2.5¢ | 13¢ | $3.89 | $47 |
| 85 in. | 190 | 3.4¢ | 17¢ | $5.25 | $63 |
At 5 hours a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.09 | 1.6¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| 2 hours | 0.17 | 3.1¢ | $0.94 | $11 |
| 4 hours | 0.33 | 5.9¢ | $1.81 | $22 |
| 8 hours | 0.65 | 12¢ | $3.55 | $43 |
| 12 hours | 0.97 | 17¢ | $5.29 | $63 |
| 24 hours | 1.92 | 35¢ | $10.51 | $126 |
Cost to run a TV in every state
The same TV costs $18 a year in North Dakota and $65 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.54 | $18 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.58 | $19 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.60 | $19 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 1.0¢ | $1.62 | $19 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.66 | $20 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.67 | $20 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.67 | $20 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.69 | $20 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.71 | $20 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.73 | $21 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.74 | $21 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.74 | $21 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.75 | $21 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.76 | $21 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.76 | $21 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.77 | $21 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.84 | $22 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.84 | $22 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.88 | $23 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.88 | $23 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.91 | $23 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.92 | $23 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.92 | $23 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.93 | $23 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.93 | $23 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 1.3¢ | $1.95 | $23 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 1.3¢ | $1.99 | $24 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 1.3¢ | $2.02 | $24 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 1.3¢ | $2.05 | $25 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 1.3¢ | $2.05 | $25 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 1.3¢ | $2.07 | $25 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 1.4¢ | $2.11 | $25 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 1.4¢ | $2.22 | $27 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 1.5¢ | $2.27 | $27 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 1.5¢ | $2.34 | $28 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 1.5¢ | $2.34 | $28 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 1.7¢ | $2.58 | $31 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 1.7¢ | $2.62 | $31 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 1.7¢ | $2.62 | $31 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 1.9¢ | $2.96 | $36 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 1.9¢ | $2.97 | $36 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 1.9¢ | $3.02 | $36 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 2.1¢ | $3.32 | $40 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 2.1¢ | $3.35 | $40 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 2.2¢ | $3.49 | $42 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 2.3¢ | $3.54 | $42 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 2.3¢ | $3.65 | $44 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 2.3¢ | $3.65 | $44 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 2.4¢ | $3.79 | $46 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 2.6¢ | $4.11 | $49 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 3.5¢ | $5.42 | $65 |
Most efficient TV models
The lowest-energy ENERGY STAR certified models in the most common size (46.4–62.8 in), out of 170 certified models. In this class, the best model costs $21 a year to run. The least efficient costs $38. Same size, $17 a year apart.
| Brand | Model | Screen | Watts | Cost/yr | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sansui | S50KAUT | 49.5 | 61 | $21 | Amazon |
| Sansui | LE-50V1 | 49.5 | 62 | $21 | Amazon |
| LOEWE. | stellar 55 | 54.6 | 64 | $22 | Amazon |
| PHILIPS | 50HFL4518U/27 | 49.5 | 67 | $23 | Amazon |
| Sansui | LE-50KA1 | 49.5 | 68 | $23 | Amazon |
| Sansui | LE-40VA1 +1 variant | 49.6 | 68 | $23 | Amazon |
| Sansui | LE-50TA1 | 49.3 | 70 | $24 | Amazon |
| Sansui | LE-55V4 | 55 | 73 | $24 | Amazon |
| LG | 50QNED85TU* | 49.5 | 73 | $25 | Amazon |
| Loewe | stellar 48 | 47.5 | 74 | $25 | Amazon |
Yearly cost at 5 hours a day and 17.99¢/kWh. Look up any model in the calculator with “Look up my exact model”. Source: ENERGY STAR, updated 2026-10-21. Amazon links search for the exact model; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How to cut the cost
- Switch from Vivid/Dynamic to Standard, Cinema or Eco picture mode to cut draw 20-40%.
- Turn on the auto-brightness (light sensor) setting; it lowers backlight in dim rooms.
- Lower the backlight setting from 100 to around 60-70 for a 25-35% savings in a normal living room.
- Set a sleep timer of 1-2 hours for falling-asleep TV watching.
- Disable 'instant on' or 'quick start' features, which can raise standby from 0.5 W to 10+ W.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Certified TVs use about 25% less power than standard models at the same size.
See options on AmazonCuts power to the soundbar, console and streaming boxes when the TV turns off.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TV | 80 | 5 hours a day | $2.24 | $27 |
| OLED TV | 130 | 5 hours a day | $3.61 | $43 |
| Soundbar | 30 | 5 hours a day | $1.13 | $14 |
| Streaming device | 3 | 5 hours a day | $0.24 | $3 |
| Cable box / DVR | 25 | 24 hours a day | $3.29 | $39 |
| PS5 | 200 | 2 hours a day | $2.37 | $28 |
| Xbox Series S | 75 | 2 hours a day | $0.94 | $11 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a TV per hour?
A TV drawing 80 watts uses 0.08 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 1.4¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 1.0¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 3.5¢.
How much does it cost to run a TV per month?
At typical use (5 hours a day), a TV costs about $2.24 a month and $27 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a TV use?
Most TVs use 25 to 250 watts, depending on the setting (32 in. 35 W, 55 in. 80 W, 65 in. 110 W, 75 in. 140 W, 85 in. 190 W). Plugged in but off, it still draws about 0.5 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a TV use?
About 0.41 kWh a day and 150 kWh a year at typical use (5 hours a day).
Does a TV use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 150 kWh a year it's a small share (1.4%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a TV or an OLED TV?
At typical use, a TV costs about $27 a year versus $43 for an OLED TV. So the TV is cheaper by about $16 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a TV?
- Switch from Vivid/Dynamic to Standard, Cinema or Eco picture mode to cut draw 20-40%.
- Turn on the auto-brightness (light sensor) setting; it lowers backlight in dim rooms.
- Lower the backlight setting from 100 to around 60-70 for a 25-35% savings in a normal living room.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.