PC display monitors are essential components in our daily computing tasks, whether for work, gaming, or casual browsing. However, not all monitors consume the same amount of electricity. Factors such as the type of monitor (LED vs. LCD), screen size, resolution, brightness, and refresh rate play significant roles in determining power consumption.
Table of Contents
Similar to Graphics Card, Liquid CPU Cooler or components like Hard Drive understanding the monitor differences can help you make informed decisions to optimize energy usage and reduce electricity costs. This following guide will breaks down the electricity consumption of various monitors, providing insights into how each factor impacts overall power usage.
PC display monitors come in various types and sizes, each with different power consumption characteristics. This article will explore the electricity usage of LED and LCD monitors, breaking it down by screen size and other important factors.
Factors Affecting Monitor Power Consumption
Before diving into specifics, it’s essential to understand the factors that influence a monitor’s power consumption:
- Technology: LED and LCD are the two main types, with LEDs generally being more energy-efficient.
- Screen Size: Larger screens consume more power.
- Resolution: Higher resolutions can increase power usage.
- Brightness: Higher brightness levels increase power consumption.
- Refresh Rate: Monitors with higher refresh rates (e.g., 144Hz, 240Hz) may use more power.
- Usage: Power consumption varies with usage (e.g., active use, standby, off).
1. Power Consumption by Monitor Technology
a. LED Monitors
LED monitors are known for their energy efficiency and vibrant display quality. They use light-emitting diodes for backlighting, which consumes less power compared to traditional LCDs.
- Average Power Consumption: 20-30 watts for typical 22-24 inch monitors
- Monthly Electricity Usage (assuming 8 hours of use per day):
- 30 W1000×240 hours=7.2 kWh\frac{30 \text{ W}}{1000} \times 240 \text{ hours} = 7.2 \text{ kWh}100030 W×240 hours=7.2 kWh
b. LCD Monitors
LCD monitors use liquid crystal display technology with CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamp) backlighting. They generally consume more power than LED monitors.
- Average Power Consumption: 30-50 watts for typical 22-24 inch monitors
- Monthly Electricity Usage (assuming 8 hours of use per day):
- 50 W1000×240 hours=12 kWh\frac{50 \text{ W}}{1000} \times 240 \text{ hours} = 12 \text{ kWh}100050 W×240 hours=12 kWh
2. Power Consumption by Screen Size
a. Small Monitors (17-19 inches)
Small monitors are often used for basic computing tasks and typically consume less power.
- LED: 15-25 watts
- Monthly Electricity Usage:
- 25 W1000×240 hours=6 kWh\frac{25 \text{ W}}{1000} \times 240 \text{ hours} = 6 \text{ kWh}100025 W×240 hours=6 kWh
- Monthly Electricity Usage:
- LCD: 20-30 watts
- Monthly Electricity Usage:
- 30 W1000×240 hours=7.2 kWh\frac{30 \text{ W}}{1000} \times 240 \text{ hours} = 7.2 \text{ kWh}100030 W×240 hours=7.2 kWh
- Monthly Electricity Usage:
b. Medium Monitors (20-24 inches)
Medium-sized monitors are common for both work and gaming setups.
- LED: 20-30 watts
- Monthly Electricity Usage:
- 30 W1000×240 hours=7.2 kWh\frac{30 \text{ W}}{1000} \times 240 \text{ hours} = 7.2 \text{ kWh}100030 W×240 hours=7.2 kWh
- Monthly Electricity Usage:
- LCD: 30-50 watts
- Monthly Electricity Usage:
- 50 W1000×240 hours=12 kWh\frac{50 \text{ W}}{1000} \times 240 \text{ hours} = 12 \text{ kWh}100050 W×240 hours=12 kWh
- Monthly Electricity Usage:
c. Large Monitors (25-29 inches)
Larger monitors are often used for immersive gaming and professional work.
- LED: 30-50 watts
- Monthly Electricity Usage:
- 50 W1000×240 hours=12 kWh\frac{50 \text{ W}}{1000} \times 240 \text{ hours} = 12 \text{ kWh}100050 W×240 hours=12 kWh
- Monthly Electricity Usage:
- LCD: 40-60 watts
- Monthly Electricity Usage:
- 60 W1000×240 hours=14.4 kWh\frac{60 \text{ W}}{1000} \times 240 \text{ hours} = 14.4 \text{ kWh}100060 W×240 hours=14.4 kWh
- Monthly Electricity Usage:
d. Ultra-Wide and 4K Monitors (30 inches and above)
These monitors offer high resolution and wide aspect ratios, which can increase power consumption.
- LED: 40-70 watts
- Monthly Electricity Usage:
- 70 W1000×240 hours=16.8 kWh\frac{70 \text{ W}}{1000} \times 240 \text{ hours} = 16.8 \text{ kWh}100070 W×240 hours=16.8 kWh
- Monthly Electricity Usage:
- LCD: 50-100 watts
- Monthly Electricity Usage:
- 100 W1000×240 hours=24 kWh\frac{100 \text{ W}}{1000} \times 240 \text{ hours} = 24 \text{ kWh}1000100 W×240 hours=24 kWh
- Monthly Electricity Usage:
3. Power Consumption by Other Important Factors
a. Resolution
Higher resolutions like 1440p (2K) or 2160p (4K) generally consume more power than 1080p (Full HD) due to the increased number of pixels that need to be illuminated.
- 1080p (Full HD): Typically 10-20% less power than 4K
- 1440p (2K): About 15-30% more power than 1080p
- 2160p (4K): Up to 50% more power than 1080p
b. Brightness and Refresh Rate
Increasing brightness and higher refresh rates can significantly impact power consumption.
- Brightness: Every 10% increase in brightness can lead to a 5-10% increase in power consumption.
- Refresh Rate: Monitors with 144Hz or higher refresh rates may consume 10-20% more power than standard 60Hz monitors.
Conclusion
Understanding the electricity consumption of your monitor can help you manage your energy usage and costs more effectively. Whether you use an LED or LCD monitor, knowing the factors that influence power consumption—such as screen size, resolution, brightness, and refresh rate—can provide insights into your monthly electricity usage.
Summary Table
| Monitor Type | Screen Size | Average Power Consumption | Monthly Electricity Usage (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED | 17-19 inches | 15-25 watts | 3.6 – 6.0 |
| LED | 20-24 inches | 20-30 watts | 4.8 – 7.2 |
| LED | 25-29 inches | 30-50 watts | 7.2 – 12.0 |
| LED | 30+ inches | 40-70 watts | 9.6 – 16.8 |
| LCD | 17-19 inches | 20-30 watts | 4.8 – 7.2 |
| LCD | 20-24 inches | 30-50 watts | 7.2 – 12.0 |
| LCD | 25-29 inches | 40-60 watts | 9.6 – 14.4 |
| LCD | 30+ inches | 50-100 watts | 12.0 – 24.0 |
Always refer to your monitor’s specifications and use power monitoring tools to get precise measurements for your specific setup. This will help you optimize your energy consumption and reduce electricity costs effectively.
You may like:
How Much Electricity Does a Graphics Card (GPU) Consume?
How Much Electricity Does CPU Stock Cooler Consume? (AMD/Intel)
How Much Electricity Does a Liquid CPU Cooler Consume?
How Much Electricity Does a Hard Drive Consume in a Month?
Ads by Adsterra
