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How much does a television cost to run?

A television typically draws around 100 W while running. Ratings vary widely between models, so check the label and change the figure below.

per kWh
W
g CO2 per kWh
Cost per year
42.92
= Exact Running cost of a television
Cost per month
3.58
Cost per day
0.12
Cost per hour of use
0.03
Energy per year
153.3 kWh
Energy per day
0.4200 kWh
Carbon dioxide per year
38.3
Annual cost of standby alone
2.04
Show the working
  1. Power = 100
  2. Hours per day = 4
  3. Days per year in use = 365
  4. Electricity price = 0.28
  5. Standby power = 1
  6. Grid carbon intensity = 250
  7. kw = 100 / 1000 = 0.1
  8. daily_kwh = 0.1 * 4 = 0.4
  9. standby_kwh = 1 / 1000 * (24 - 4) = 0.02
  10. Energy per day = 0.4 + 0.02 = 0.42
  11. Energy per year = 0.42 * 365 = 153.3
  12. Cost per day = 0.42 * 0.28 = 0.1176
  13. Cost per year = 153.3 * 0.28 = 42.924
  14. Cost per month = 42.924 / 12 = 3.577
  15. Cost per hour of use = 0.1 * 0.28 = 0.028
  16. Carbon dioxide per year = 153.3 * 250 / 1000 = 38.325
  17. Annual cost of standby alone = 0.02 * 365 * 0.28 = 2.044

Values are shown to six significant figures here; the arithmetic itself runs on exact fractions and is only rounded where a number is printed.

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    The formula

    • daily energy = power in kW x hours
    • annual cost = daily energy x days x price per kWh

    Nameplate wattage is the maximum draw, not the average. A cycling appliance like a fridge or a freezer averages far less.

    Standby draw is small per device and adds up across a house: ten devices at 2 W each is 175 kWh a year.

    Running cost of a television at different tariffs

    Price per kWh Per hour Per year at 4 h/day
    0.10 0.010014.60
    0.15 0.015021.90
    0.20 0.020029.20
    0.25 0.025036.50
    0.30 0.030043.80
    0.40 0.040058.40

    Frequently asked

    How many watts does a television use?

    Typically around 100 W while running, though models vary. Check the rating plate.

    How much electricity does it use per day?

    About 0.40 kWh at 4 hours of use.

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