Does unplugging your TV overnight actually save electricity? Yes, but there's a better method

2026-03-05 · Source: News and Advice on the World's Latest Innovations | ZDNET · Field: Energy & Utilities — Energy Efficiency & Conservation · Depth: Novice, short

Summary

Modern televisions, including both high-end OLED and entry-level LED models, have significantly improved energy efficiency compared to older flat screens and CRTs. While older devices were power-hungry even in standby, current models like the LG G5 OLED 55-inch and Toshiba C350 55-inch consume less than 0.5W in standby mode. This translates to an average standby cost of approximately 11 cents per year, based on the U.S. Energy Information Administration's average electricity rate of 17.24 cents per kilowatt hour. The maximum yearly operating costs for these models are around $39.82 and $37.50, respectively. Users can gain control over power settings by disabling standby modes and LED indicators, though Amazon Fire TVs lack this option in user settings.

Key takeaway

For consumers concerned about electricity bills, you should understand that modern televisions consume very little power in standby mode, typically costing only about 11 cents annually. While disabling standby lights is possible on most brands like Samsung, Sony, and LG, the financial impact is minimal. Focus your energy-saving efforts on larger household appliances rather than obsessing over unplugging your TV overnight.

Key insights

Modern TVs are highly energy-efficient, making standby power consumption negligible for most users.

Principles

• Energy efficiency has advanced significantly in TV technology.
• Standby power draw is minimal for contemporary TVs.

Method

To calculate standby cost: convert wattage to kWh (divide by 1,000), multiply by standby hours, then multiply by the average electricity rate.

In practice

• Disable standby lights in TV settings for minor savings.
• Check specific TV menus for power indicator options.

Topics

• TV Energy Efficiency
• Standby Power
• Power Management
• Electricity Consumption
• Consumer Electronics

Best for: General Interest

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by News and Advice on the World's Latest Innovations | ZDNET.