Did you know that a modern television uses much less energy than a decade-old television? Perhaps that shouldn’t be a surprise, considering how efficient today’s display panels are. According Perch energyThe average energy consumption of an old television is around $54 per year. Because LED-backlit and OLED TVs consume less power than traditional LCD screens, newer models cost about $32 a year.
Also: Can’t hear the dialogue on television? Changing these 3 settings can make a big difference
For the most part, the larger your screen size, the more power your TV will need. But there are ways to tone down your TV’s power consumption every time you turn it on. Here are some settings you can change to save more money on your next electricity bill. Even if you’re ultimately saving only tens of dollars, it still leaves a little less money out of your pocket, and that’s the goal.
Contents
What are EnergyGuide ratings?
First, if you’re thinking about purchasing a new TV, start with the most basic source of information: the EnergyGuide label and ENERGY STAR® rating. All televisions displayed in a showroom will display these labels. This information from manufacturers provides a reliable metric for comparing efficiency between TVs.
Also: This futuristic power generator kept my house running during a blackout. That is how
Ratings range from A to G, with A rating being the highest and most energy efficient. However, it is rare to find a TV with an A rating. For a smart TV, a D or E rating is considered highly efficient. New ENERGY STAR® certified TVs must have comparable features and be 25% more energy efficient than competitors. While many energy-efficient TVs may cost more upfront, you’ll quickly recoup the price difference through energy savings.
But what about your current TV settings? There are some that you can modify to get better results.
1. Reduce your shine
The brightness of any TV is a tricky variable. It can improve your viewing experience, but sometimes too much brightness isn’t worth it. Too much brightness can distort clarity and contrast, and it also costs a few cents more. Some newer TVs have sensors that detect ambient light (automatic brightness control (ABC), which automatically adjusts brightness).
Also: I changed these 6 TV settings to dramatically speed up performance
On your TV, look for an Eco mode or a Movie picture mode. Select one of these for optimal power efficiency and a realistic viewing experience. In the end, you could do both your eyes and your checkbook a favor by reducing the glare.
2. Set a sleep timer
I know it’s not ideal sleep hygiene, but I confess that I enjoy going to bed with the TV on. I enjoy falling asleep, bathed in its comforting glow. I know this doesn’t make economic sense either. So, I set a sleep timer on my Samsung. When the TV detects no activity for two hours, it automatically turns off. This is similar to standby mode, which you can also enable to turn off your computer after a predetermined period of no interaction.
3. Turn off the screen when streaming music
Do you ever listen to Spotify or one of the music channels included in your cable package? If you’re listening to music through your TV, you don’t actually need the images. Many TVs have a special setting that allows you to turn off the screen completely, but you can also reduce the brightness if that option is not available.
Also: I changed these 5 TV settings to dramatically improve picture quality.
The same goes for using the TV simply to listen to background noise. If you’re not actually looking at the screen, you can save some money by turning down the lumens and focusing on the volume.
4. Turn off completely
New televisions consume about 55 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year. For comparison, a refrigerator uses an average of 550 kWh per year, but your refrigerator can’t afford to shut down to rest. Even when you turn off the TV with the remote, it tends to go into standby mode and continues to use about 0.4 watts. To really limit your TV’s power consumption, I suggest plugging it and any peripherals into a power strip, so you can turn everything on and off quickly.
5. A note on image quality and power.
If you’re looking to significantly reduce energy use, an OLED TV is a great option due to its advanced pixel technology. OLED TVs have pixels that emit their own light and can be turned on and off individually. This precise control allows for deeper blacks, higher contrast, and lower overall power consumption. By turning off individual pixels when displaying dark scenes, OLED TVs consume less power compared to traditional LCDs, which require an always-on backlight.
Also: This all-in-one sound bar turned my old TV into the best 4K cinema experience
As mentioned above, if you are looking for a TV, I recommend a OLED model with an EnergyGuide rating of D and make sure it is ENERGY STAR® certified. However, it is important to note that higher resolutions mean more pixels, which can result in higher power consumption. A 4K display has 8.29 million pixels, four times more than a 1080p display, and requires four times more power.
Before making a decision, consider your viewing habits. Many streaming services still offer content in 720p or 1080p. Evaluate how often you watch 4K content to determine if the higher power consumption of a 4K TV is justified for your needs.