As the dark and gloomy winter evenings are quickly approaching, watching television gains in popularity. Therefore, this time, let us talk about the energy efficiency of TV sets. Experts from Elektrum Energy Efficiency Centre point to 5 important factors that influence the electricity consumption of a TV set.

1. TV set type

Plasma TVs have high colour accuracy and contrast, but they consume several times more power than LED TVs.

Liquid-crystal display (LCD) TVs are the ancestors of LED TVs, and the light in them is produced by fluorescent lamps, whereas the light in LCD TVs with LED backlighting or, as they are called, LED TVs is produced by light-emitting diodes (LED). That is why LED TVs are more efficient and thinner in size compared to LCD TVs.

In contrast, OLED or organic light-emitting diode TVs have a clearer and more colourful image than LED TVs, as well as low power consumption.

2. Screen size

The electricity consumption of a TV set depends on the screen size: the larger the screen, the higher the power consumption. Therefore, when purchasing a new TV, you should choose the optimal TV screen size, which is determined by dividing the distance between the viewer’s location and the screen by 3.

3. Brightness

The brighter the screen, the more power it consumes, which is especially true for OLED TVs. It should be remembered that the brightness of the screen must be adjusted to the level of ambient lighting: the brightness should be increased in a well-lit room and reduced in a dark room. There are TVs with built-in an ambient light level sensor, which will provide optimal screen brightness and save electricity.  

4. TV standby power consumption

All devices that can be turned off with a remote control have a power supply unit which consumes a small but steady amount of power in standby mode, i.e. when turning such devices off only with the remote control. The standby power consumption of a younger generation of televisions is less than 1 W. Those who still have a plasma TV should keep in mind that its standby power consumption is up to 20 W; therefore, after having watched the TV, turn it off completely by disconnecting it from the grid, for example, using the extension cord with the switch.

5. Usage habits

Remember to turn off the television when not watching it. If you often forget to turn off your TV, next time choose a model with a built-in presence sensor that will turn off the screen if there are no people near the TV.

If you do not watch but just listen to a broadcast or digital radio, choose a TV with the screen off function, thus reducing the total power consumption of the TV, or use the radio.