How Much Does It Cost to Run a TV?
A modern 55-inch LED TV draws under 100 watts — five hours of nightly viewing costs only a few dollars a month. At the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh, running a TV costs about $2.26/month ($27.07/year) at typical use. Adjust the watts, hours, and your rate below for your exact number.
Cost to run a TV
$27/yr
- Per day
- $0.07
- Per month
- $2.26
- Energy per year
- 164 kWh
Cost = power (kW) × hours × days × your rate. Defaults are typical values — enter your appliance's actual watts (often on a label) and your real rate for a precise figure.
How much electricity does a TV use?
At 90 W for 5 hours a day, a TV uses about 0.4 kWh per day — roughly 14 kWh per month and 164 kWh per year. That's about 2% of the 863 kWh the average US home uses in a month. Energy use is the same everywhere — only the price per kWh changes your bill.
Wondering about the circuit instead? See how many amps a TV draws.
Cost to run a TV by electricity rate
Same 90 W appliance, 5 h/day — the bill changes with where you live.
| Scenario | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest states (North Dakota) | 11.5¢ | $1.58 | $18.91 |
| US average | 16.5¢ | $2.26 | $27.07 |
| Most expensive (Hawaii) | 42.9¢ | $5.87 | $70.40 |
Find your state's rate on the electricity rates by state page, or see the appliance wattage chart for more devices.
Measure what a TV really costs you
The estimate above uses typical wattage and hours. A plug-in energy meter logs the kilowatt-hours this appliance actually uses — leave it in for a week, multiply by your rate, and the estimate becomes a measurement. A whole-home monitor does the same for every circuit at once, but its sensors install inside the panel.
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Plug-in power meter
P3 International Kill A Watt P4400
Best for: Measuring what one plug-in appliance really uses
Whole-home energy monitor
Emporia Vue 3 Home Energy Monitor (16 circuit sensors)
Best for: Measuring hardwired and 240 V loads, or every circuit at once
Frequently asked questions
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