To reduce a TV’s electricity use, lower its brightness to a comfortable level, choose an energy-saving or ENERGY STAR picture preset if available, and review standby features before cutting power to the set or its accessories. To care for the TV, follow its manufacturer’s cleaning and maintenance instructions. These steps can reduce avoidable power use and help prevent damage, but the sources cited here do not establish a universal TV lifespan or prove that any particular habit adds a specific number of years.
Lower active power use with picture settings
Reduce brightness to suit the room
Screen brightness affects electricity use. Lower the brightness or backlight setting to the lowest level that remains comfortable in your viewing environment; the exact control and its effect vary by model.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Try the efficient preset and automatic controls
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) says a TV’s preset or default picture setting is the most efficient setting used to earn the ENERGY STAR label. Try that setting or a similarly named energy-saving mode if your TV offers one; manufacturers do not use identical menu labels, and the most comfortable picture is a personal choice. DOE FEMP’s television guidance also identifies automatic brightness control as a feature that can reduce power by adjusting brightness to room light. On LED-backlit LCD TVs, local dimming can lower or switch off backlight sections in darker parts of an image. These are features to check, not guaranteed savings amounts.
Recommended Free Tools
Review standby power before unplugging equipment
A TV can use electricity while switched off if it remains plugged in. Standby power is electricity used while a device is not performing its main function; networked standby and quick-start modes may draw more than passive standby.
#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
A DOE-hosted summary of Fraunhofer USA research reported that some quick-start TV models used more than 10 watts, but that observation comes from older data and is not a current-market average. See DOE’s 2022 display-energy summary and its general explainer, Measuring Standby Power.
Decide which devices can lose power
DOE suggests using a smart power strip for a TV and associated components to prevent energy waste when the system is not in use. This may be useful when several peripherals remain in standby, but first check whether your TV, streaming box, receiver, or game console needs network access, scheduled updates, voice features, or fast startup. Switching a group fully off can disable those functions.
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
OLED maintenance is another reason to check the TV’s instructions before removing mains power. Some sets carry out maintenance after normal remote-control shutdown; a power strip that cuts power could interrupt it. Follow the manufacturer’s guidance for the exact model.
Clean the screen without damaging it
Sony’s care guidance for OLED and LCD TVs says to turn the TV off and unplug it before cleaning. Gently wipe the screen with a clean, dry microfiber cloth, avoid touching a special surface coating where possible, and do not spray liquid directly onto the set. Check the instructions for your model before using any commercial screen cleaner or wipes; some models with special coatings have additional steps. Read Sony’s TV care instructions.
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
Let OLED maintenance follow the model’s instructions
On applicable Sony OLED models, Panel Refresh adjusts screen uniformity after extended use; pixel degradation can make unevenness visible. Sony warns not to run manual Panel Refresh more than once a year because it may affect the panel’s usable life. That instruction applies to the Sony models and operating systems listed in Sony’s Panel Refresh guidance, last modified January 16, 2026. It should not be generalized to every OLED television: follow your own model’s manual and allow automatic maintenance to run as directed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Understand what published energy comparisons do—and do not—show
DOE FEMP’s 2024 guidance compared 54.5-inch LED TVs using market and qualified-product data available as of December 2024. Its example estimates are useful for comparing the models in that guidance, but they are not a prediction of a household’s bill or a live ranking of today’s TVs.
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.
| Example TV in DOE FEMP’s December 2024 guidance | Estimated energy use | Estimated annual electricity cost | Estimated five-year lifetime energy-cost savings versus the less-efficient example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best-available model in the guidance | 133 kWh/year | $15/year | $47 |
| ENERGY STAR model | 168 kWh/year | $18/year | $31 |
| Less-efficient comparison model | 235 kWh/year | $26/year | Baseline |
The annual cost estimates assume electricity at 11 cents per kWh, the average price at federal facilities as of July 2024—not an average household rate. The five-year savings estimates assume 1,825 active-mode hours and 6,935 standby hours per year, a five-year product life, price trends, and a 3% discount rate. Actual costs depend on the TV, viewing and standby hours, and local electricity prices. DOE notes that more efficient models may have entered the market since its December 2024 selection. Details and assumptions are in DOE FEMP’s purchasing guidance.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →When replacing a TV, compare the exact models
If you are already shopping for a replacement, DOE says smaller screens generally use less energy and LED-backlit LCD TVs tend to be more efficient. Also check for automatic brightness control and, on LED-backlit LCD models, local dimming. Compare current ENERGY STAR information and estimate use against your own viewing hours and electricity rate rather than assuming display technology alone determines consumption. DOE’s “best-available” example was selected from the qualified-product list as of December 2024, not from a live model ranking.
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.
