Electricity bills can be quite a shock when you look at the amount of power you’ve consumed. If you’re feeling the pinch, you may have noticed that your TV is always running, whether you’re binge-watching shows or your smart TV is displaying family photos when no one is around.
But can your TV really be eating up so much electricity? In this article, we’ll explain how your electricity bill is calculated and explore the different types of TVs and their energy consumption.
How Is Your Electric Bill Calculated?
Your electricity bill is generated based on the amount of power you consume in your home. Your electricity meter, located outside your home, measures the amount of current and voltage being used by your electronic devices and calculates the amount of power being consumed in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
The cost of your electricity bill is then determined by multiplying the amount of power you consume by the cost per kWh, which is currently around 12 cents in the US.
For example, if your TV consumes 100 watts per hour and runs for 8 hours a day for 30 days, it will consume 24 kilowatt-hours of power per month, equating to a monthly cost of $2.88 (24 kWh x $0.12).
TV Energy Consumption: A Breakdown of Different Types
Not all TVs are created equal when it comes to energy consumption. Different types of TVs consume varying amounts of electricity, based on their technology, size, and use. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of TVs and their energy consumption:
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) TVs
CRT TVs are a thing of the past, but they are still used for retro gaming. While they offer a great gaming experience, CRT TVs can consume a lot of power. For example, a 24-inch CRT TV can consume up to 120 watts of power, compared to just 50 watts for an LCD TV of the same size.
Plasma TVs
Plasma TVs use the fourth state of matter to produce images and offer superior picture quality compared to CRTs. However, plasma TVs are also power-hungry, with a 30-inch plasma screen consuming up to 150 watts and a 60-inch screen consuming over 500 watts. Due to their high energy consumption, plasma TVs have been replaced by LCD technology, and California banned them in 2009.
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) TVs
LCD TVs are the most popular type of TV, with over 284 million units shipped in 2019. Offering great picture quality and low energy consumption, LCD TVs consume 70 watts for a 32-inch set and 200 watts for a 60-inch set.
Light-Emitting Diode (LED) TVs
LED and LCD TVs use the same display technology, with LED TVs being a more energy-efficient version of LCD TVs. LED TVs consume less power than LCD TVs of the same size, with a 32-inch LED TV consuming around 60 watts and a 60-inch LED TV consuming around 160 watts.
Tips to Reduce TV Running Costs:
- Opt for an LED TV- LED flat screen TVs are the most energy-efficient, . OLED and QLED use more energy, while plasma TVs consume the most.
- Choose a smaller screen size- Larger TVs consume more energy, even the most efficient 65 or 75-inch sets.
- Dim the screen brightness- Lowering brightness reduces energy consumption, and some TVs have eco mode or an ambient light sensor to adjust brightness automatically.
- Turn off TV when not in use- To save energy and money, only turn on the TV when you plan to watch it and turn it off when not in use.
Conclusion
In conclusion, your TV usage can have a significant impact on your electricity bill. By understanding how your bill is calculated and the energy consumption of different TV types, you can make an informed decision when choosing a TV. Whether you choose an LCD, LED, or plasma TV, it’s essential to keep in mind the energy consumption and cost implications of your choice. So, next time you receive a high electricity bill, you will know whether your TV is to blame or not.