As the days get shorter and the colder season sets in, we spend much more time at home enjoying our favourite films, TV series and TV shows. TV becomes the central entertainment device that gathers the whole family and friends in many households; therefore, it is especially important to choose a device that not only provides a great viewing experience but is also energy efficient. Elektrum Energy Efficiency Centre experts share tips on how to choose the right TV set and how to care for it and use it efficiently.

Choosing a TV set – What to look out for?

• Size and suitability for the available space

When you select your TV set, the first thing you need to understand is where you want to put it and which screen size suits you. When selecting your device, the size of the room and the distance to the viewer are as important as the space available for the TV set. The size of the screen also determines how much electricity the TV will consume – the bigger the screen, the more power it will consume. To calculate the optimum diagonal size of a TV screen in centimetres, the distance from the viewer’s position to the screen must be divided by three.

• TV screen type – LED, OLED or QLED?

LED TVs are the most common and the most energy efficient, but they have less colour depth and lower contrast values than more up-to-date models.

OLED TVs offer a higher quality image with a more pronounced black colour and brighter contrast. Although they consume more energy, they also provide an excellent viewing experience.

QLED TVs use quantum dot technology that improves colour accuracy and brightness while keeping energy consumption at a level that is similar to that of LED TVs.

When choosing the type of screen you want, also pay attention to its resolution, as even a large screen can display a pale and blurry image if it doesn’t have enough resolution. The higher the screen resolution, the more detailed and colourful the image. While even 8K resolution is available today, 4K resolution, which is available on ULTRA HD TVs, will be perfectly adequate for home use and will provide a very clear and detailed picture with deep, vivid colours.

• Smart TV features

Today, Smart TV features turn watching TV into an even more interactive and convenient experience, allowing you to use streaming services, web browsers and apps directly on your TV. Note that many of these functions may run in the background and consume additional energy.

• Energy efficiency of the TV set

Be advised to pay attention to the energy label before you buy a new TV set, as choosing a device with a higher energy-efficiency class can reduce your electricity costs in the long term.

Using your TV efficiently

• Energy-saving modes and switching off your TV completely

The use of energy-saving modes that reduce the brightness of the screen and other features is recommended to reduce the electricity consumption of your TV. This mode can be activated manually or set to switch on automatically when the TV is not used intensively.

Contemporary TV sets also come with automatic switch-off and sleep modes, which are activated when the device is not used for a long period of time. These features help to significantly reduce your energy consumption.

If you switch off the TV set using the remote control, it remains in standby mode and continues to consume a small amount of power. To avoid this, you may use an extension cord with an on/off switch or a smart socket. Switching off the TV completely is particularly important when you are away for long periods of time since this reduces electricity consumption and ensures electrical safety.

• Adjusting the brightness of the screen

A TV that can automatically adjust the brightness of the screen to the ambient light level not only improves the viewing experience but also reduces energy consumption. If your TV doesn’t have a function that automatically adjusts the brightness of the screen, you are recommended to do this manually by increasing the brightness of the screen in a well-lit room and decreasing it in a dark room.

• Correct positioning and ventilation of the TV set

The position of the TV set is important both in terms of energy efficiency and the lifetime of the device.

Make sure the TV set is positioned in a place with sufficient airflow around it (not too close to a wall or other objects) and its vents are not blocked.

Overheating of your TV set can increase energy consumption and reduce the lifetime of your TV set, as the device will need more resources to maintain optimal performance.

Looking after your TV

As with other electrical appliances, regular care is important to keep your TV working efficiently and for longer.

• To remove dust and stains, clean the TV screen with a soft, dry microfibre cloth designed for the cleaning of monitors.
• Do not clean the TV screen with chemical cleaners or wet sponges, as they can damage the screen coating.

To make your home even more energy efficient and save resources every day, take a look here at other tips from the Elektrum Energy Efficiency Centre!