TV Energy Efficiency: How to Reduce Your Power Consumption

As 65 inch TVs become standard in Australian living rooms, their energy consumption becomes a practical consideration. While modern LED and OLED televisions are significantly more efficient than their predecessors, a large TV running several hours daily still contributes noticeably to your electricity bill. Understanding how your TV uses power—and how to minimise that usage without compromising your viewing experience—can save money and reduce environmental impact.

Understanding TV Power Consumption

A typical 65 inch LED/LCD TV consumes between 80 and 150 watts during standard viewing. OLED TVs vary more dramatically based on content—they can use as little as 50 watts on dark scenes and peak at 200+ watts on bright, white content. Mini LED and QLED models typically fall between these ranges.

To put this in perspective: a 65 inch TV consuming 120 watts, running 5 hours daily, uses approximately 219 kWh per year. At average Australian electricity prices, that's roughly $65-80 annually. Not massive, but combined with other household appliances, every efficiency gain helps.

Understanding Energy Labels

In Australia, televisions carry energy rating labels that help compare efficiency across models. The label shows:

• Star rating: More stars indicate better efficiency (1-10 scale, with 10 being most efficient)
• Annual energy consumption: Estimated kWh based on standard viewing conditions
• Screen size: For context, as larger screens naturally use more power

When comparing TVs, look at energy consumption relative to screen size. A 65 inch TV using 150 kWh annually is more efficient than a 55 inch model using 130 kWh, because it delivers more screen area per watt consumed.

TV Technologies and Efficiency

OLED Efficiency

OLED televisions are often marketed as energy-efficient because pixels emit their own light—no backlight needed. However, efficiency depends heavily on content:

• Dark content: Very efficient; dark pixels are essentially off
• Mixed content: Moderate efficiency; typical movie watching
• Bright content: Can be less efficient than LED; white screens require all pixels at maximum brightness

For typical viewing that includes a mix of content types, OLED efficiency is comparable to mid-range LED TVs.

LED/QLED Efficiency

LED-backlit TVs (including QLED) use constant power for the backlight regardless of content brightness. However, features like local dimming can reduce power by dimming backlight zones in dark areas of the image.

Mini LED Efficiency

Mini LED TVs with many dimming zones can be more efficient than standard LED because they precisely control which zones are lit. Fully dark zones use minimal power, improving overall efficiency.

Settings That Reduce Power Consumption

Backlight/Brightness

The backlight (or OLED pixel brightness) is the single biggest factor in TV power consumption. Reducing backlight from 100% to 50% can cut power use nearly in half. For evening viewing in a dim room, you likely don't need full brightness—try 40-60% for a good balance of picture quality and efficiency.

Picture Mode

Different picture modes have different power profiles:

• Vivid/Dynamic: Maximum brightness, highest power consumption
• Standard: Balanced brightness, moderate power use
• Cinema/Movie: Often lower brightness, better efficiency
• Eco Mode: Specifically designed to minimise power consumption

Ambient Light Sensor

Many TVs include a light sensor that automatically adjusts brightness based on room lighting. Enabling this feature reduces brightness during evening viewing when less is needed, saving power automatically.

Eco Mode Settings

Most TVs offer eco settings beyond just reduced brightness:

• Auto power off: Turns off TV after hours of inactivity
• No signal standby: Powers down when no input is detected
• Eco Picture Mode: Optimised settings for efficiency
• Screen saver: Dims screen after idle periods (particularly useful for OLED)

Standby Power: The Hidden Consumer

Modern TVs consume power even when "off" in standby mode. This phantom power enables features like instant-on, network connectivity for updates, and voice assistant listening. Typical standby consumption is 0.5-3 watts—seemingly small, but it adds up over 24/7 operation.

Options to reduce standby power:

• Disable quick start: TV takes longer to boot but uses less standby power
• Turn off network standby: Prevents remote wake-up but reduces background power
• Use a power strip: Switch off the strip to completely cut power when not using the TV
• Smart plugs: Schedule power cutoff during sleeping hours

HDR and Power Consumption

HDR content often triggers higher peak brightness, increasing power consumption during viewing. While you shouldn't avoid HDR—it's a significant quality improvement—be aware that a 2-hour HDR movie may consume more power than the same film in standard dynamic range.

Comparing Efficiency When Buying

When shopping for a new 65 inch TV, compare energy efficiency alongside picture quality:

• Check the energy label for annual kWh consumption
• Look for TVs with good eco mode features
• Consider OLED if you watch lots of dark content (movies, prestige TV)
• Consider LED/QLED if you watch lots of bright content (sports, news)
• Read reviews that measure actual power consumption

The Bigger Picture

While TV efficiency matters, keep perspective on your overall household energy use. A 65 inch TV typically accounts for just 2-4% of household electricity consumption. Major appliances like air conditioning, water heaters, and refrigerators have far greater impact. Still, every reduction helps, and efficient TV use requires no sacrifice in entertainment value.

Practical Efficiency Tips

• Match brightness to room: Reduce backlight as room lighting decreases
• Use Cinema mode: Better for evening viewing and more efficient
• Enable auto-off: TV shuts down if you fall asleep watching
• Disable always-listening: Voice assistants consume standby power
• Consider viewing time: Less viewing = less power, though lifestyle matters more than energy here

Conclusion

Modern 65 inch TVs are more efficient than ever, but thoughtful settings and usage can further reduce their environmental footprint and running costs. Use eco features, adjust brightness for your room, and don't hesitate to enjoy the stunning picture quality these TVs offer—just do so wisely. The few dollars saved monthly won't change your life, but sustainable habits aggregate into meaningful impact over time.