How Much Does a TV Cost to Run Per Month? (2026 Data)

The median certified television in WattCost's current dataset costs about $2.94 per month at the April 2026 U.S. average residential electricity price. That is $35.31 a year for 187.5 kWh of annual test-basis energy use, not a claim that every screen or viewing schedule costs the same.

Key takeaways

• The current certified television dataset contains 172 models, with a 187.5 kWh/year median.
• 187.5 kWh/year at 18.83¢/kWh is $35.31/year or $2.94/month.
• The certified range is 18.36–631.05 kWh/year, so screen choice can matter far more than the median suggests.
• The ENERGY STAR television test basis assumes about five hours of on time a day plus standby time.

What is a typical TV electricity cost per month?

The current certified-model median is about $2.94 a month at the cited national average rate. A small, efficient display can cost much less, while a larger or higher-energy model can cost far more. Heavy viewing, streaming hardware, picture mode, and state electricity price all make a generic monthly figure less useful than the actual model's annual kWh.

How the calculation works

WattCost multiplies the category median of 187.5 kWh/year by $0.1883/kWh to reach $35.31/year, then divides by 12. The result uses a standardized annual figure so readers can compare screens without pretending that every household watches the same number of hours.

The site uses the same transparent calculation in its methodology.

What changes a television's monthly electricity cost?

Screen size, panel technology, brightness, picture settings, and viewing time all influence use. The certified test basis includes a standardized on/standby pattern, so it provides a consistent shopping comparison. A household that watches well above five hours a day should expect actual use to differ from the test-basis annual figure.

How to get a more useful number

Find the exact television's annual kWh on its EnergyGuide information or certified listing, then multiply by your electricity rate. Treat a device's stated watts as a snapshot, not an annual cost calculation.

Start with WattCost's television data.

For the related buying decision, see the OLED-versus-LED electricity comparison.

FAQ

Does leaving a TV on all day cost much more? Usually yes. The certified annual figure uses a standardized viewing pattern of about five on-hours a day. More on-time normally means more energy use, though the exact increase depends on the television and its brightness settings.

How much does a 65-inch TV cost per month? Size alone cannot give a reliable amount. Compare the exact model's annual kWh; TVs of similar diagonal size can differ in panel type, brightness, and energy use.

Does standby power matter for a TV? Standby is part of the standardized annual estimate, but the on-mode screen energy usually has a larger effect. Use the model's annual kWh rather than trying to estimate each mode separately.

Is $2.94 per month the cost for every TV? No. It is the current median among certified models at the U.S. average electricity rate. The certified data has a broad range, and your screen and usage may be above or below the median.

Data notes & sources

This guide combines WattCost's July 2026 certified-television snapshot with EIA's April 2026 U.S. average residential price. Streaming devices and other entertainment equipment are not included.

Product-test context: ENERGY STAR television product list.

Electricity-rate context: U.S. EIA April 2026 residential electricity-price table.