Quick Answer
A typical 65-inch LED TV costs $0.07–$0.25 per hour to run in Victoria at current electricity rates. For an average household watching 4–5 hours daily, that’s $40–$90 per year in TV electricity costs. Older plasma TVs cost 3–5 times more to run than modern LED or OLED panels of the same size.
With electricity prices in Victoria now sitting around $0.35/kWh, understanding exactly what your television costs to run has never been more relevant. TV technology has improved dramatically — a 65-inch OLED today uses less power than a 42-inch plasma from 2010 — but screen sizes keep growing and households often run multiple TVs. This guide breaks down running costs by TV type, size and usage pattern so you can work out exactly what your set is costing you.
TV Running Costs at a Glance
Running costs depend on the TV’s wattage (shown on the energy label or spec sheet), how many hours per day you watch, and your electricity tariff. The figures below use Victoria’s 2026 average electricity rate of $0.35/kWh.
| TV Type | Typical Wattage (65″) | Cost Per Hour | Cost Per Day (5h) | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern LED LCD | 80–120W | $0.03–$0.04 | $0.14–$0.21 | $50–$77 |
| OLED (65″) | 100–150W | $0.04–$0.05 | $0.18–$0.26 | $64–$96 |
| QLED / Mini-LED | 120–180W | $0.04–$0.06 | $0.21–$0.32 | $77–$115 |
| Older plasma (50″) | 250–400W | $0.09–$0.14 | $0.44–$0.70 | $160–$255 |
| Older LCD (pre-2015) | 150–250W | $0.05–$0.09 | $0.26–$0.44 | $96–$160 |
| Small bedroom TV (32″) | 30–50W | $0.01–$0.02 | $0.05–$0.09 | $18–$32 |
Running Costs by Screen Size
Screen size is the single biggest driver of electricity consumption for modern LED TVs. Larger panels require more backlight, driving up wattage significantly. Here are realistic costs based on popular sizes in Australian living rooms.
| Screen Size | Typical LED Wattage | Cost Per Hour | Annual Cost (5h/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 inch (bedroom) | 30–45W | $0.01–$0.02 | $20–$29 |
| 43 inch (small lounge) | 50–80W | $0.02–$0.03 | $32–$51 |
| 55 inch (standard lounge) | 70–110W | $0.02–$0.04 | $45–$70 |
| 65 inch (large lounge) | 90–130W | $0.03–$0.05 | $58–$84 |
| 75 inch (home theatre) | 120–180W | $0.04–$0.06 | $77–$115 |
| 85–98 inch | 180–280W | $0.06–$0.10 | $115–$182 |
Standby Power: The Hidden Drain
Most modern TVs continue drawing power in standby mode — typically 0.5–3W. While this sounds small, it adds up: a TV drawing 2W in standby for 19 hours a day costs around $5–$7 per year just doing nothing.
Smart TVs and streaming devices (Apple TV, Chromecast, Foxtel boxes) are the bigger concern. A Foxtel iQ box can draw 15–20W even when you’re not watching, adding $35–$50 annually. Always check whether streaming devices fully power off or just enter a “low power” standby that still consumes significant electricity.
Multiple TVs: The Real Household Cost
Australian households average 2.1 television sets, with many homes having a main lounge TV, bedroom TV and sometimes a kitchen or outdoor screen. Here’s what a typical three-TV household in Melbourne’s south-east pays annually.
| TV | Size | Daily Hours | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main lounge (modern LED) | 65 inch | 5 hours | $58–$84 |
| Bedroom TV | 43 inch | 2 hours | $13–$21 |
| Kids room / spare | 32 inch | 3 hours | $9–$15 |
| Foxtel / streaming box (always on) | — | 24 hours standby | $40–$55 |
| Total household | — | — | $120–$175/year |
How to Calculate Your TV’s Running Cost
To work out exactly what your specific TV costs, use this simple formula:
Cost per hour = Wattage ÷ 1,000 × electricity tariff
For a 110W TV at $0.35/kWh: 110 ÷ 1,000 × $0.35 = $0.039 per hour (about $0.04)
Multiply by your daily viewing hours and 365 for an annual figure. A 110W TV watched 5 hours/day costs: 0.039 × 5 × 365 = $71 per year.
Tips and Gotchas
- Check the Energy Star rating label. All TVs sold in Australia since 2019 must display an energy rating label. A 6-star TV uses roughly half the electricity of a 3-star model of the same size. When buying, add up the running cost difference over 5 years — it often makes the more expensive energy-efficient model cheaper overall.
- Old plasma TVs are energy vampires. If you still have a plasma TV from before 2013, replacing it with a modern LED will typically save $100–$200 per year in electricity. The new TV often pays for itself within 2–3 years through energy savings alone.
- TV size creep costs money. Upgrading from a 55″ to a 75″ TV increases electricity consumption by roughly 50–70%. Factor this into your purchase decision — especially if you’re upgrading from a moderately efficient existing set.
- Turn it off at the wall. Switching your TV off at the wall socket rather than standby eliminates all standby draw. For a household with multiple devices on one entertainment unit, a single switched powerboard handles this with one click.
- Sound bars and subwoofers add to the bill. A powered sound bar draws 20–60W while in use. A high-end home theatre system (amplifier, subwoofer, surrounds) can add $50–$150 per year to your electricity bill on top of the TV itself.
- Gaming consoles are the big surprise. A PlayStation 5 in gaming mode draws 100–200W — often more than your TV. If the family is gaming 3 hours a day, the console can cost $70–$150 per year to run, rivalling the TV itself.
- Use your TV’s energy monitoring feature. Most smart TVs from Samsung, LG and Sony made after 2021 have an energy consumption meter in the settings menu. This gives you real-time and monthly consumption data without needing any additional devices.
Local Resources for Victorian Households
- Energy Rating Australia — Look up energy star ratings and annual kWh consumption for any TV model sold in Australia
- Victorian Energy Compare — Compare electricity plans to find the best rate and reduce costs across all your appliances
- Sustainability Victoria — Free energy audits and rebate information for Victorian households
- Bunnings — Smart powerboards, energy monitors and plug-in wattage meters to measure your actual TV draw
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to leave a TV on all day?
A 65-inch LED TV left on for 24 hours uses roughly 2.2–3.1 kWh, costing $0.77–$1.09 at Victorian electricity rates. That’s $280–$400 per year if left on around the clock. Most smart TVs have a sleep timer setting — using it to automatically switch off after 2–4 hours of inactivity is one of the easiest ways to cut your electricity bill.
Does TV resolution (4K vs 1080p) affect electricity use?
Surprisingly little. Resolution itself doesn’t significantly change power draw — the panel size and backlight brightness are far more important factors. A 65-inch 4K TV uses roughly the same electricity as a 65-inch 1080p TV of the same technology type. Where 4K content does matter is that HDR (High Dynamic Range) modes used for 4K streaming push the backlight harder, adding 10–25% to consumption.
Is OLED more expensive to run than LED?
OLED panels are slightly more power-hungry than equivalent LED LCDs at the same screen size, but the difference is modest — typically 20–40W more. In dollar terms, the difference is around $10–$25 per year for typical viewing hours. OLED screens can also dim unused portions of the screen, which partially offsets this in scenes with black bars or letterboxing.
What uses more electricity — a TV or a computer monitor?
For similar screen sizes, modern computer monitors (27–32 inch) typically use 25–50W, significantly less than a TV of comparable size. However, the computer itself adds 100–400W depending on whether it’s a desktop tower or laptop. A gaming PC at full load (500–700W total system) dwarfs any TV’s electricity consumption.
Does turning the TV off at the wall actually save money?
Yes, though the saving is modest for modern TVs — typically $3–$10 per year per TV in standby savings. The bigger win comes from switching off entertainment system components at the same time: Foxtel boxes, sound bars, gaming consoles and streaming devices on the same powerboard. Combined, these can save $30–$70 per year in standby power, making a switched powerboard one of the better-value energy-saving purchases for an Australian home.
