How much does a television cost to run?

A 100-watt unit running 5 hours a day costs about $2.82 a month at 18.83¢ per kWh. Change the inputs for your equipment and local rate.

Updated July 16, 2026EIA residential rate data

Calculate your cost

Start with a representative input, then edit all three numbers.

18.83¢/kWh U.S. average
W
hr
¢/kWh
$2.82/ month
$0.09/ day
$34.36/ year

This setup uses about 15 kWh in a 30-day month.

Runtime comparison
ScheduleHours/dayCost/month
Half runtime2.5$1.41
Starting point5$2.82
Longer runtime7.5$4.24

Same 100-watt input and 18.83¢/kWh rate; only runtime changes.

The quick formula

0.1 kW × 5 hours × $0.1883 = $0.09 per day

Convert watts to kilowatts, multiply by the active hours used each day, then multiply by the electricity price in dollars per kWh. Multiply the daily result by 30 for the monthly estimate shown above.

How to read this estimate

Television power use depends strongly on screen size, panel technology, and brightness. Standby draw is usually much lower than active viewing, but quick-start and network features can keep some electronics awake.

The starting values keep this page useful before you have a label or meter reading. They do not describe every model, climate, operating mode, or household.

What changes the cost?

  1. 01

    Screen size, panel technology, brightness, and picture mode

  2. 02

    Daily viewing hours and connected streaming or game devices

  3. 03

    Quick-start, voice activation, and network standby features

Ways to spend less

  • Use a comfortable brightness rather than vivid showroom mode.
  • Enable automatic power-off after inactivity.
  • Turn off consoles and streaming boxes when viewing ends.

Rate source U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electricity Retail Sales

EIA calculates average retail revenue per kilowatt-hour from reported residential sales and revenue. It is a statewide monthly average, not a quoted utility tariff, and an individual bill may also include fixed fees, tiers, taxes, riders, or time-of-use pricing.

Source period 2026-04 · retrieved July 16, 2026.