The true cost of any device or piece of technology is often more than just what you spend on your first purchase. You should also consider any additional costs that may arise from using an appliance, such as energy bills. This is not to say that these additional costs are always inevitable. Although you technically have to pay for the energy needed to run your appliances, you may currently be paying more than you need to. For example, if you know what warning signs to look out for, you may find that your TV is costing you more than it should.
A smart TV in particular may cost you more in utility bills than you think due to something called phantom energy (also known as vampire energy). This is energy that is depleted even when a device is not actively used. As long as the device is plugged in, it consumes power. Unfortunately, a device like a smart TV, which is connected to the Internet and often stays in sleep mode even when you’re not watching it, can use nearly 40 times more energy than an older device.
This doesn’t need to happen. There are different ways to reduce a TV’s power consumption and save money. Again, you are more likely to resolve this problem successfully if you recognize the signs in the first place.
Your energy bills are high without a clear explanation
It’s worth noting that there are many reasons why utility bills might be higher than expected. For all you know, your home is using more energy than you thought because your HVAC system isn’t working as efficiently as it should. However, if it seems like your energy bills started increasing after you started using a new TV, it’s likely that at least one factor is contributing to the problem.
A simple way to potentially reduce your energy bills in this scenario is to unplug the TV when not in use. Yes, this can make using the TV a little less convenient, since you’ll have to plug it back in every time you want to turn it on, but it will stop the device from consuming power when you’re not watching anything. If this measure helps reduce energy bills, it’s a strong sign that your smart TV played a role in increasing those bills in the first place.
On the other hand, most TVs today tend to be designed so that standby mode consumes minimal power. So, it may only really be necessary to unplug your TV when you won’t be using it for several days in a row, such as when you’re going on vacation.
You haven’t explored the power saving settings on your smart TV
Not all smart TVs are the same. You should explore the features of your specific unit to determine how adjustments could theoretically save you money. That said, smart TVs often have optional features that users can turn on or off depending on their needs. It is sometimes possible to reduce a TV’s power consumption by turning off some of these features. Any feature that allows a TV to respond to an external device may be an additional feature that you can turn off to help you save a little money. If you’ve never explored these options, there’s a good chance your set is consuming more power than it should be.
Your TV may also offer specially designed modes and options with the very aim of reducing power consumption. For example, some TVs offer eco modes intended to strike the ideal balance between impressive picture quality and limited power consumption. If your TV does not offer this mode, you can still lower the brightness to save energy. As an added bonus, reducing the brightness can also often help to increase the lifespan of a TV.
A kilowatt meter indicates the high power consumption of your TV
If you want confirmation that your TV is the reason your home is consuming seemingly excessive amounts of energy, you can purchase a home kilowatt meter to investigate further. This device (which sometimes goes by other names, such as an electric meter or electricity meter) can tell you how much energy individual appliances and appliances are using.
Although you will need to check the instructions to determine exactly how to use the type of kilowatt meter you end up investing in, you typically plug the meter into a wall and then plug the appliance or device you are measuring into the meter. The meter will then provide energy consumption readings to give you a better idea of ​​what’s behind your phantom energy losses.
This is also something to consider when purchasing a new TV. If you’re unsure whether you really need the largest screen available, for example, consider the fact that a 100-inch TV will use more power than a smaller device. By remembering that your energy bills are part of the overall cost of the TV, you’ll be more likely to make a purchase you can afford in the long run…and heed the signs of a power-hungry TV.
