There’s no single cost to keep a TV on around the clock: it depends on the TV’s actual on-mode wattage and your electricity price per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Multiply watts by 24 hours, divide by 1,000 to get daily kWh, then multiply by your rate.
Calculate the cost of running your TV all day
Use the TV’s on-mode power draw and the per-kWh price on your electricity bill:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Daily energy: watts × 24 ÷ 1,000 = kWh per day
- Daily cost: daily kWh × your electricity price per kWh
- Approximate annual cost: daily cost × 365
Watts measure power; watt-hours measure energy used over time. The U.S. Energy Information Administration puts it simply: “One Watthour is the energy of one Watt used for one hour.” EIA’s explanation of electricity measurements covers the distinction.
Example: a TV drawing 100 watts
A hypothetical 100 W TV running continuously uses 100 × 24 ÷ 1,000 = 2.4 kWh per day. At an assumed electricity price of $0.20/kWh, that is $0.48 per day, or about $175.20 over 365 days. These figures illustrate the arithmetic; they are not a typical-TV estimate or a prediction of your local bill.
#1 Best Overall
- Various Monitoring Parameters: The power meter plug can monitor the power (W), energy (kWh), volts, amps, hertz, power factor, cost, minimum and maximum power (W), cumulative days and time of your appliances. By switching 7 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The home energy monitor can also calculate and display how much power your appliance uses and how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Upgraded LCD Display: With large screen size 2.36 inch x 1.85 inch, clearer monitor backlit, our electrical usage monitor can display the data clearer and more visible no matter day or night. 180°full wide viewing angles is great for reading and recording the data in any angles. No need to stand on the front of the display and bend over to read the numbers
- Adjustable Backlight Time: Our upgraded watt meter has 5 options of backlight time. The default backlight time duration is 10 minutes(bL-0). If you want to change the backlight time, you can press and hold "UP" and "DOWN" button at the same time to enter backlight time setting, then press "UP" and "DOWN" to select the backlight time (bL-0 =10 minutes, bL-1=1 hour, bL-2=4 hours, bL-3=8 hours, bL-4=always on), finally press the "COST" to save the backlight time settings
- Overload protection: When the power of the appliance exceeds the overload power, the LCD will display “OVERLOAD” to warn the user. All the buttons will quit working and can only be workable when you lower or remove the load power. The default overload power is 3680W and is adjustable from 0 to 3680W. In general, you need to set the overload power to 1800W before using. Just press the "function" button for more than 3 seconds to enter the setting
- Data Memory Function: The wattage meter will record your power consumption data when you remove it from socket, or remove appliances from the electricity monitor. You can directly see the last data when you use it next time. This function can also automatically save the data when there is a sudden power failure
Find the right wattage and electricity rate
Use the TV’s on-mode draw
Look up the specific model’s power use in its documentation or an applicable energy rating. Consumption varies with the model, screen size, picture settings, and content, so a single wattage cannot represent every TV. ENERGY STAR’s TV criteria describe on-mode measurement and testing. See ENERGY STAR’s television criteria.
If the TV’s documentation gives energy use for a standardized schedule rather than on-mode watts, don’t treat that figure as continuous 24-hour use. The federal test procedure accounts for multiple operating modes. The federal TV test procedure explains the mode-based accounting.
Rank #2
- World Wide Input Voltage 100-240VAC 50/60Hz OVP, OCP, SCP Protection (OVP: Over Voltage output Protection. OCP: Over Current output Protection. SCP: Short Circuit output Protection)
- UpBright New Global 12V - 15V 2A - 4A - 4.34A AC / DC Adapter Compatible with Direct TV AIM 1.5 Satellite Advanced Installation Meter DIRECTV AIM15 SatPro.tv AIM01R2-12 DTV UP-1222000 UP-122000 Trilithic DirectTV DIREC TV Adapter Tech ATS065T-P150 ATS065TP150 ATS 12VDC - 15VDC 2000mA - 4000mA - 4340mA 12.0V - 15.0V DC12V - DC15V Switching Power Supply Cord Cable PS Battery Charger Mains PSU
- Compatible with: Directv AIM Advanced Installation Meter 1.5 SatPro.tv AIM01R2-12 AIM01R212 DTV UP-1222000 UP-122000; Direct TV AIM 1.5 Satellite Advanced Installation Meter DIRECTV AIM15 Trilithic
- Compatible with: DIRECTV Satellite Dishes LYSB0081TKPLG-ELECTRNCS AIM Advanced Installation Signal Meter 1.5 DirectTV DIREC TV Direc TV; Adapter Tech ATS065T-P150 ATS065TP150 ATS Switching Mode Power Supply Charger
- Tested Units. In Great Working Condition. UpBright 30 Days Refund. 24 Months Exchange
Use the rate on your bill
For a useful estimate, use the per-kWh price applicable to your electricity service. The rate may vary by location, provider, and plan. DOE guidance published in 2024 used 11¢/kWh—the average price at federal facilities as of July 2024—for its illustrative TV cost table. That is a dated federal-facility assumption, not a universal or current residential rate. DOE’s TV purchasing guidance gives the context for those examples.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Why an energy label may show a different annual cost
A standardized annual estimate is not the same as leaving a TV on continuously. DOE’s 2024 example assumes 1,825 active hours and 6,935 standby hours per year, then calculates annual energy and cost using the stated 11¢/kWh rate. Its examples are:
Rank #3
- Multi-function power monitor: Our electric usage monitor can monitor the power (W), electricity(kWh), voltage(V), frequency(Hz), current(A), power factor(PF), unit price($/kWh), total cost($) of your appliances. By switching 8 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The “electricity” mode can calculate and display how much power your appliance uses. And the “total cost” mode will show how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Overload protection: When the loading power of the appliance is over the default overload threshold 1800W, the whole display with backlight and the word “OVERLOAD” will keep flashing to warn the users. Please turn off the appliance for safety concern
- Premium Material: The whole body of our energy meter is made of high-quality ABS material. It makes our home electricity usage monitor more long lasting, fireproof and anti-drop. The standard US socket and plug is suitable for all US standard appliances
- Backlight Display: With white backlight and black words, the LCD display of our home power monitor can display the data clearer and help you to read the data easier no matter day or night. The backlight will only lights up when the device is connected to AC power. If no button is pressed, the backlight turns off automatically after 10 minutes. You can also press the "UP" button to turn off the backlight manually, and press any button to turn on backlight again
- Easy to reset: No reset tool needed, our appliance power usage meter is easy to reset. You can press the “M” button for 5 seconds directly to reset the device. After reset, all cumulative data (electricity quantity, cost) will be cleared, and all settings will be restored to factory settings
| DOE example category | Annual energy | Annual cost at 11¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Best Available model | 133 kWh | $15 |
| ENERGY STAR model | 168 kWh | $18 |
| Less-efficient model | 235 kWh | $26 |
These are DOE’s 2024 example figures under its stated typical-use assumptions, not estimates for 24-hour operation. To estimate continuous use, apply on-mode watts to all 24 hours in the calculation instead.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Account for standby and connected devices separately
When the TV is not actively displaying, it may use standby power rather than on-mode power. If you want to estimate a mixed schedule, calculate each mode separately and add the energy: (on-mode watts × on-mode hours ÷ 1,000) + (standby watts × standby hours ÷ 1,000). Multiply the total kWh by your rate. ENERGY STAR distinguishes passive standby from network-connected active standby; applicable limits depend on the specification and test method. The ENERGY STAR Version 9.0 TV specification describes those modes.
Rank #4
- High Quality Component: and professional design; Designed with a compass for easier and quicker tuning. Powered by the receiver, nice tool for campers.
- Less Signal Loss:Built-in amplifier compensates insertion loss.We offer one year warranty and 24 hours customers survice~
- Useful Tool|:Connect to your LNB and receiver to the satellite finder to track the clearest setting for the satellite you wish to tune to.
- Easy To Use:With electronic buzzer, easy operation, audio tone and LCD display with backlight to show the satellite signal intensity.
- No External Power or batteries required: power supplied from your satellite receiver.
A cable or satellite box, game console, and other attached equipment are separate electrical loads. Include them only if you want the cost of the whole setup, rather than the TV alone. An EIA historical household figure published around 2018 reported that TVs and related equipment together accounted for 7% and $103 per home per year, based on 2015 data; it is not a current or TV-only estimate. The EIA article provides that historical context.
EIA’s 2015 discussion also cited around 15–20 W of standby draw for some set-top boxes. That is historical context for certain boxes, not a current or universal value, and it should not be assigned to a TV. See the EIA discussion of set-top boxes.
Measure or estimate your TV’s power draw
If you don’t have a usable wattage figure, a compatible plug-in electricity monitor can help measure the TV’s draw at the outlet. Check that the monitor is rated for the TV and electrical setup. Measuring is optional: model documentation and your bill’s rate are enough to make a calculation, though actual use can change with settings and content.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
