What is the Most Energy Efficient TV Type?
30th October 2024
Choosing a model with a higher star rating can lead to energy savings.
While TVs may not be the primary contributors to household energy bills in Australia – heating and cooling typically take top honours there – their energy consumption can add up, particularly during extended viewing sessions. In fact, TVs alone can use as much energy as your fridge and freezer – that’s around 5% of your total energy usage. Throw in a home theatre system and a weekend Netflix binge, and that percentage can spike pretty fast.
By doing a little research and investing in an energy-efficient TV, you can significantly reduce the amount of electricity your television consumes. Then, you can relax on the couch guilt-free and enjoy your favourite show.
TV energy star ratings
In Australia, every TV is required by law to display an Energy Rating Label, or a TV star rating. These labels allow you to easily compare the energy consumption of different models – the more stars a TV receives, the more energy efficient it is.
A good TV star rating typically falls within the range of 4 to 6 stars, indicating moderate to high energy efficiency. Ratings below 4 stars may be considered less energy-efficient and could result in higher long-term energy costs.
To help you better understand Energy Rating Labels, read our guide to star ratings, before you start shopping. You could also research energy consumption online and use calculators to estimate the energy usage of specific TVs.
Comparing the energy consumption of TVs
You’re not always comparing apples with apples when it comes to TVs. It’s important to consider several factors that could affect their energy consumption:
- Size: Larger televisions generally consume more energy than smaller ones.
- Screen type: Different screen technologies such as organic light-emitting diode (OLED), light-emitting diode (LED) and liquid crystal display (LCD), can affect energy efficiency.
- Brand: Some brands prioritise energy efficiency more than others, therefore producing more energy efficient TVs.
- Viewing habits: Adjusting screen brightness and disabling standby mode can help reduce energy usage.
With these variables in mind, providing a direct comparison can be challenging. And that’s why the star ratings are so handy.
Not a customer? Join Red Energy today.
How much power does a TV use?
Determining a TV’s power consumption can be complex due to the multiple influencing factors. But it can help to know how the different technologies work:
- LED and LCD: These days, both LED and LCD can be put in the same energy-efficient bucket. Most modern TVs use LCD technology with low-energy LED backlighting, resulting in minimal energy use.
- OLED: OLED, known for its vibrant colours and slim design, operates without a backlight, making it inherently energy-efficient.
- QLED: QLED TVs use quantum dot technology to enhance colour and brightness. They are generally energy-efficient, similar to LED and LCD TVs.
- MicroLED: MicroLED is a newer technology that offers benefits similar to OLED but with potentially higher brightness and longer lifespan. While energy efficiency may vary depending on implementation, they are typically more efficient than plasma TVs.
- Mini-LED: Mini-LED TVs use smaller LEDs for backlighting, offering improved contrast and brightness control. They are considered more energy-efficient than traditional LED/LCD TVs.
While these distinctions offer some guidance, the actual power consumption of a TV will vary depending on factors like size, brand, and viewing habits.
Buying an energy efficient TV
If you’re in the market for a new TV and aiming for improved energy efficiency, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the right choice:
- Set your budget: Start by determining your budget. While the most energy-efficient TVs may come with a higher price tag, it’s essential to find a balance between energy efficiency and affordability. Knowing your budget upfront will help narrow down your options.
- Consider your viewing habits: If you’re a frequent television viewer, investing a bit more in an energy-efficient model can lead to long-term savings on energy bills. However, if you only watch TV occasionally, it may not justify spending extra on a top-tier energy-efficient TV.
- Determine the size: Decide on the size of the TV you need, taking into account the available wall space in your living room or entertainment area. Keep in mind that larger TVs typically consume more energy than smaller ones.
- Choose display technology: Select the display technology that best suits your preferences and needs. Options include OLED, LED, LCD, and more. Comparing the energy star ratings of different models side by side can help you identify the most efficient option within your chosen display technology.
By following these steps, you can make a savvy choice and pick a TV that fits your energy efficiency goals, aligns with your budget, and satisfies your viewing needs.
Tips to reduce TV energy consumption
If you’re not planning on buying a new television any time soon, there are a few ways you can reduce the energy consumption of your current TV:
- Adjust brightness: Lower the brightness settings on your TV. Less light means less power consumed.
- Optimal positioning: Place your TV away from natural light sources to avoid the need for extra brightness, which can contribute to energy savings.
- Power off completely: Instead of using standby mode, switch your TV off at the powerpoint when not in use to eliminate standby TV power consumption.
- Minimise background usage: If you tend to leave the TV on in the background during the day, consider turning it off and opting for music or other alternatives to reduce unnecessary energy usage.
The final word
Watching TV is a pretty power-hungry pastime. So if you’re in the market for a new television, it really can pay to look at the energy ratings of the models in your price range. Choosing a TV with a better star rating could mean less energy usage on your annual energy bill.
Join Red today
We’ve been powering what matters to Australians since 2004. Switch or move with Red today.
References
-
About Red Energy
Red Energy is 100% owned by Snowy Hydro Limited, who own, manage, and maintain the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme in New South Wales. Our Customer Solutions team is 100% based in Australia.