Take a look around your home. Which appliances do you think use the most energy?

Your TV is one appliance that probably gets used very frequently in your household—and that usage adds up when it comes to your monthly utility bill!

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably been racking your brain to try and lower your monthly energy bill. Today’s economy can be especially cumbersome for Texans trying to trim unnecessary costs wherever and whenever they can.

To help you better understand how your lifestyle and usage habits can drastically impact how much—or how little—you’re paying for power every month, we’re going to take a closer look at typical TV wattage, including how the different types of TV devices (such as LED TV wattage) can vary.

Average TV energy usage

How many watts does a TV use? The answers may surprise you.

• Research shows that, on average, modern TVs use approximately 58.6 watts when they’re “on” or in use, and approximately 1.3 watts in standby mode.
• This rate of usage is higher than appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and clothes dryers.
• Even when TVs are turned off, they can still use energy when they’re plugged in.
• Planning a vacation or extended time away from the house? Unplug your TVs—as well as any other unused appliances or devices for added savings.

Different types of TV and their power consumption

With so many types of TVs on the market, you have a lot of options for choosing the most energy-efficient models.

Let’s explore how the kind of TV you use affects your monthly power charges.

• LED TV power consumption—on average, a 42-inch LED TV will use about 64 watts per hour.
  • LEDs are popular due to their slim, sleek size. They are the slimmest TV model available.
  • LED TVs are also more lightweight, weighing less than their plasma TV competition.
  • Screen size options for LED TVs range from only a couple of inches up to approximately 90 inches.
• Plasma TV power consumption—on average, a 42-inch plasma TV will use about 195 watts per hour.
  • When it comes to size options, plasma TVs range in size from about 42-165 inches, so customers looking for the largest size TV screens may opt for plasma versions over the smaller screens.

Based on the above findings, you can clearly see that LED (Light-Emitting Diode) TV technology means less energy hourly usage on average.

LED-lit LCD TVs are overall more energy-efficient than plasma TVs.

So, which one should you choose? Both types of TVs offer different benefits, such as size, weight, and picture clarity.

• The kind you choose for your home will depend on your budget, the space you’re looking to put the TV in, and how important picture clarity and quality is to you.
• If energy efficiency is a top priority, you’d be wise to go the LED TV route.
• Although an LED TV’s price tag may seem expensive initially, the energy-saving abilities of this TV model will more than make up for the up-front price of purchasing the appliance.

How to save more money with prepaid electricity?

Now that you know how much energy TVs use and how smart shopping can help lower your monthly power bill costs, take that saving potentially a step further by exploring your energy plan options.

Prepaid and postpaid electricity are the two most common types of electricity plans available to Texas residents.

The type of power plan that will work best for you will depend upon your energy usage habits and general lifestyle.

• Do you work remotely, or outside of the home?
• How much time do you spend traveling?
• How many people do you have living in your home?
• What are their typical energy habits like?
• These are all smart questions you can ask yourself in order to determine the most appropriate energy plan to enroll in.

• Yet another way homeowners, renters, and prospective home buyers can make smart energy-related decisions is to consider enrolling in prepaid electricity.
• Unlike the more traditionally known postpaid plans, which require customers to pay for their utility consumption after it has been used, prepaid power plans allow consumers to pay ahead of time.
• By allowing prepaid customers to “pay as you go,” or setting a predetermined amount they want to pay for their power before it is used, they are much more likely to keep a close and conservative eye on their usage habits.
• Smart Meters are electronic devices installed in the homes of prepaid power customers. The home’s energy usage is recorded and transmitted to both the customer and the electricity providing company.
  • The team at Now Power Texas works to closely analyze a home’s usage data in order to formulate helpful, energy and cash-saving tips for the consumer.
• Consumers can also stay on top of their usage, scaling back as needed to save more money. Funds can also be easily added if needed to tide their account over until the start of the next billing cycle.
• The beauty of living in a deregulated area of Texas is having the ability to choose which power provider you use—this competition between electric companies results in added savings for you.
• In addition to the already low rates and awesome customer service offered to Texans by Now Power Texas, they’re always rolling out new ways to help you save.
• Promotions and specials like the “Smart Balance 30” and “Free Nights Plan” give customers additional avenues to keeping more cash in their pockets—all while enjoying dependable electricity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much electricity does a TV use?

The amount of electricity a TV use depends on several factors, including its size, type (LCD, LED, OLED, etc.), brightness settings, and usage patterns. On average, a typical 42-inch LED TV consumes around 80-120 watts of electricity per hour. Larger TVs and those with higher brightness levels may consume more power.

Q: Does leaving a TV on standby mode consume electricity?

Yes, leaving a TV in standby mode still consumes a small amount of electricity. While the power usage is significantly lower compared to when the TV is fully operational, standby mode typically consumes around 1-5 watts of electricity. To minimize energy consumption, it is advisable to completely turn off the TV when not in use.

Q: How can I reduce the electricity consumption of my TV?

There are several ways to reduce the electricity consumption of your TV. Here are some tips:

• Adjust the brightness settings to a comfortable level, as higher brightness consumes more power.
• Enable power-saving features or eco-mode options available in many TVs.
• Avoid leaving the TV on when not in use and make sure to turn it off completely.
• Consider using a smart power strip or surge protector that can automatically cut power to the TV when it’s not in use.
• Opt for energy-efficient TV models, such as those with ENERGY STAR ratings, which are designed to consume less power.

Q: Does watching content in HD or 4K resolution consume more electricity?

Yes, watching content in higher resolutions such as HD (High Definition) or 4K (Ultra High Definition) can consume more electricity compared to lower resolutions. This is because higher-resolution content requires more processing power and backlighting, resulting in increased power consumption. However, the exact difference in power usage may vary depending on the specific TV model and settings.

Q: Are older TVs less energy-efficient than newer models?

In general, older TVs tend to be less energy-efficient compared to newer models. Advancements in technology have led to the development of more energy-efficient display panels, backlighting systems, and power-saving features in modern TVs. If you are concerned about energy consumption, upgrading to a newer TV with higher energy efficiency ratings, such as ENERGY STAR certified models, can help reduce your electricity usage.

Stop spending unnecessary money every month—get reliable, affordable energy in Texas you can count on every time with Now Power Texas!

Now Power Texas, the top retail energy provider in the state, offers plans to residents with NO credit check, NO deposit, and NO SSN/ID required for service activation.

Call, email, or fill up the form today and enroll in a prepaid electricity plan that best suits your needs and budget—you could have your power connected as soon as the SAME DAY you enroll!