Checked against official sources on 15 October 2026
How much does a TV cost to run?
About $2.34 a month
for a typical 50–55 inch TV used 5 hours a day in No match. Pick "Another country" to type your own price. , at 18.31 cents per kWh.
Type your electricity price to see the cost.
- Draws while on
- 84 W
- Costs per hour
- $0.02
- Start-up surge
- None
TVs have become far more efficient, but they've also become bigger, and screen size is now the main thing that decides the cost. A typical 50–55 inch certified TV draws about 84 W while it's on. Picture mode matters too: bright, vivid settings use more than standard or eco modes.
Work out your own TV
Draws about 84 W
Look on the label or plug for a number followed by W.
Bigger screens use more
Typical power while on, for ENERGY STAR certified TVs, by screen size. Costs below use the price you set above.
| Screen size | Power while on | Cost per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Under 36 inches (e.g. 32")19 models | $0.00 | |
| 36–45 inches (e.g. 43")14 models | $0.01 | |
| 46–55 inches (e.g. 50" or 55")39 models | $0.02 | |
| 56–65 inches (e.g. 65")26 models | $0.02 | |
| 66–75 inches (e.g. 75")9 models | $0.03 | |
| 76 inches and up20 models | $0.03 |
What it costs in other countries
For a typical 50–55 inch TV used 5 hours a day, at each country's official average electricity price.
| Country | Price per kWh | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 18.31 cents | $2.34 | $28 |
| United Kingdom | 26.32 pence | £3.36 | £40 |
| Germany | 36.18 cents | €4.62 | €55 |
| Ireland | 38.71 cents | €4.95 | €59 |
| France | 24.85 cents | €3.17 | €38 |
| Spain | 25.09 cents | €3.21 | €38 |
| Italy | 31.42 cents | €4.01 | €48 |
| Netherlands | 24.40 cents | €3.12 | €37 |
Prices from the U.S. EIA, Ofgem and Eurostat; see Sources below. To see another country, pick it at the top of the page; we cover 51.
How to cut the cost of running your TV
-
Watch one hour less a day
A typical 50–55 inch certified TV draws about 84 W while it's on.
Saves about $5.62 a year
-
Choose a smaller screen next time
A typical 65 inch certified TV draws about 34 W more than a 55 inch one. At 5 hours a day, that adds up.
Saves about $11 a year
-
Use the eco or standard picture mode
Bright, vivid modes and HDR use more power.
-
Switch it off at the wall
A TV in standby still draws a little power all day.
Savings use the electricity price you set above and figures from this page's sources.
What can power it
It has no start-up surge: Honda's generator guide lists no extra power at start-up for a TV. A generator or power station needs to supply its running power, about 84 W for the option above, plus anything else running at the same time.
Common questions
How many watts does a TV use?
A typical 50–55 inch ENERGY STAR TV draws about 84 W while on. Smaller TVs use less: under 36 inches, about 24 W.
Does a TV need a big generator?
No. Honda's guide lists the same starting and running watts for flat-screen TVs, so there is no start-up surge.
How much does it cost to run a TV per hour?
About $0.02 an hour in the United States, at the average price of 18.31 cents per kWh, or about £0.02 in the UK at 26.32 pence, for a typical 50–55 inch TV drawing 84 W.
Sources
- ENERGY STAR Certified Televisions data set (U.S. EPA), 184 models, fetched 15 October 2026
- Honda Power Equipment, generator wattage estimation guide
- Eurostat, Electricity prices for household consumers (nrg_pc_204): consumption band 2,500–4,999 kWh, all taxes and levies included, January–June 2026 (updated 13 October 2026)
- Ofgem energy price cap: average Direct Debit electricity unit rate, England, Scotland and Wales, 1 October to 31 December 2026
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electricity Monthly Update: average residential price, July 2026 (released 24 September 2026)
Last checked 15 October 2026. How we get our numbers.