Hey there! As you‘re considering a new big screen TV, one concern you may have is how much more electricity larger televisions require. With screens getting bigger every year, it‘s smart to understand the power impact.
The good news? While larger TVs need more power, efficiency improvements have reduced the gap versus small screens. With some easy tips, you can enjoy big screen viewing without busting your energy budget. Let‘s take a deeper look!
TV Screen Size Matters, But Not As Much As Before
It‘s true larger screens take more power – there‘s just more display area to light up. But TV makers have nearly closed the efficiency gap between screen sizes:
| Screen Size | Average kWh/Year |
| 32 inches (HD) | 91 kWh |
| 50 inches (4K UHD) | 112 kWh |
| 60 inches (4K UHD) | 147 kWh |
According to EnergyGuide labels, today‘s average 50-inch LED TV uses only about 20% more energy than a 32-inch model. Just a decade ago, that difference was 100-200%!
So screen size still matters, but improvements like LED backlighting have greatly reduced the impact. Of course, some premium technologies like OLED may use more power than standard LED TVs. We‘ll break that down next.
Comparing OLED, QLED and LED TV Electricity Usage
The display technology behind your TV significantly influences energy consumption:
OLED – Pixels produce their own light. Stunning picture quality but less efficient than LED. Average 65-inch OLED TV uses ~180 kWh/year.
QLED – Enhanced LED TVs with quantum dot filters. Excellent picture and better efficiency than OLED. 65-inch model averages ~160 kWh/year.
LED – Uses LEDs for backlight illumination. Most affordable and energy efficient technology. 65-inch LED TV averages ~130 kWh/year.
So while OLED and QLED perform better, they do use more power than regular LED TVs. That power premium is improving, but still exists – for now!
Resolution Boosts Electricity Use Too
Beyond screen size, resolution is the other key factor determining TV power needs:
| Resolution | Average kWh/Year |
| 720p HD | 75 kWh |
| 1080p Full HD | 91 kWh |
| 4K UHD | 112 kWh |
Those extra 8 million pixels in 4K versus 1080p require more energy to render sharper images. Most screens 65 inches and up are now 4K, while 720p and 1080p remain common in smaller sizes.
Smart TV Features Also Bump Up Power Needs
Today‘s smart TVs do more than just display cable/streaming video:
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Internet connectivity
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Multi-core processors for apps
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Voice assistants like Alexa
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Advanced backlighting features like local dimming
These extra capabilities require additional electricity – as much as 30-50% more than a basic "dumb" TV. So lean toward simpler smart features if energy use is a concern.
Adjust Your Picture Settings For Biggest Impact
Your TV picture settings have the single biggest effect on power consumption. Consider these tips to dial things in just right:
Brightness – Big energy saver here. Dim to your room lighting needs. Max brightness doubles power use!
Contrast – Keep closer to the middle for darker blacks without excess energy.
Color – Vivid/colors maxed uses noticeably more power.
Blur Reduction – Smooth motion features eat lots of energy. Turn off if not needed.
Auto-dimming – Allows TV to dynamically reduce power for dark scenes.
Using eco-friendly presets like "Energy Saver" optimizes all settings nicely with a single click!
Cut Usage Time To Cut Electricity Costs
Your total daily TV watching time directly impacts energy use. Let‘s run the numbers:
| Hours/Day | kWh/Year | Cost @ 15¢/kWh |
| 2 hours | 55 kWh | $8 |
| 5 hours | 110 kWh | $17 |
| 8 hours | 175 kWh | $26 |
Just a few hours less viewing each day can shave $10+ off your annual energy bill. Set sleep timers, turn off when not watching, and monitor total usage. Every little bit helps!
More Energy Saving Tips For Your TV
Beyond usage and settings, here are a few other easy ways to trim your TV‘s energy appetite:
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Enable auto power-off after a set time with no activity, like 4 hours.
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Use smart plugs or home automation to completely shut off the TV when not needed.
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For long vacations, unplug the TV to eliminate standby power draw entirely.
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Turn off features like motion smoothing and noise reduction when not actually needed.
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Consider integrated soundbars over standalone systems to avoid the power of extra components.
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Mount the TV to avoid energy-hungry entertainment centers with built-in lighting.
TVs Use Far Less Energy Than These Other Appliances
Compared to some real energy hogs like space heaters and dryers, today‘s efficient TVs are relatively thrifty. Take a look:
| Appliance | Annual kWh |
| Television | 110 kWh |
| Refrigerator | 300 kWh |
| Clothes Dryer | 632 kWh |
| Space Heater (per 1,000 watts) | 3,412 kWh |
Your TV uses just one-tenth the energy of a standard electric clothes dryer. And a 1,500 watt space heater outpaces a TV more than 30 times over in power consumption!
More Ways To Reduce Energy Use At Home
Focusing on the biggest energy users will have the most impact on your electricity bill. Here are some top targets beyond your TV:
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Install a programmable or smart thermostat to optimize heating and cooling energy use throughout the day.
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Switch out all remaining incandescent light bulbs for LEDs. The energy savings add up quickly.
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Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. Heating the water takes huge amounts of energy.
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Replace aging refrigerators, freezers and dishwashers with new ENERGY STAR rated models.
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Improve home insulation and sealing. This can work wonders for reducing heating and cooling costs.
Every bit of reduced energy use helps! And employing some of the TV tips above contributes to that overall home electricity savings.
The Bottom Line
Today‘s big screen TVs are more efficient than ever. While screen size, resolution, and features do impact energy use, smart settings management and usage habits make an even bigger difference.
Focus on adjusting brightness, contrast, timers, and turning off the TV when not watching. This allows you to enjoy that awesome big screen experience without the energy bill shock.
With a bit of attention, you can feel good about Going Big while keeping your electricity costs under control. Happy viewing!
