Electronics & Office · Midwest
Cost to run a television in Iowa
At Iowa’s average residential rate of 14.14¢ per kWh, a television drawing 100W for 5 hours a day costs about $2.15 a month. Change the numbers below to match how you actually use yours.
Quick answer
Based on 100W and 14.14¢/kWh, the Iowa average for May 2026.
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— per year
Why the cost differs in Iowa
Iowa has the 9th cheapest residential electricity of the 51 US states and territories we track, at 14.14¢ per kWh against a national average of 18.44¢. That is -23.3% compared with the national figure. More than half of Iowa's in-state generation comes from wind, which has held rates well below the national average because wind has no fuel cost. Retail service is regulated. Winters are severe enough that heating is the dominant seasonal load for most households, while summer humidity produces a shorter but real cooling peak.
For this appliance specifically, the difference works out to a saving of $7.85 a year against what the same television would cost at the national average rate. Run the identical appliance in Hawaii and it would cost $94.90 a year; in Idaho it would cost $22.54. That spread of $72.36 is entirely down to location.
That works out to roughly 1.7% of a typical Iowa household's annual electricity bill - modest individually, though appliances in this range add up.
Iowa sits below the national average, so this television costs slightly less to run here than it would for a typical US household. How you use it will move the number far more than where you live.
Retail service in Iowa is regulated, so most households pay a tariff set through state rate cases rather than a shopped rate. The state average is a reasonable proxy, though your utility's specific tariff still varies.
| Location | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa this page | 14.14¢ | $2.15 | $25.81 |
| US average | 18.44¢ | $2.81 | $33.65 |
| Idaho cheapest state | 12.35¢ | $1.88 | $22.54 |
| Hawaii most expensive | 52.00¢ | $7.91 | $94.90 |
Iowa electricity rate trend
Rates in Iowa have moved from 15.33¢ to 14.14¢ per kWh over the last twelve months of published data. Nationally, residential rates rose about 6.2% year over year.
2025-06 to 2026-05 · cents per kWh
About running a television
Modern LED televisions are far more efficient than plasma or older LCD sets. Screen size drives consumption more than any other factor, and brightness settings have a real effect - showroom picture modes can double consumption.
What actually changes the cost
- Models vary widely, from about 50W to 200W. Check the nameplate on your own unit rather than assuming an average, because the spread is more than 2x.
- If your utility offers time-of-use pricing, shifting this load off-peak can cut its cost substantially without using any less energy.
How we worked this out
The arithmetic is simple and we would rather show it than hide it. Divide watts by 1,000 to get kilowatts, multiply by hours of use and by the duty cycle to get kilowatt-hours, then multiply by your rate:
100W ÷ 1000 × 5h = 0.500 kWh/day × 14.14¢ = $0.071 per day
One honest caveat: Iowa’s figure is a state average published by the EIA. Your own utility’s tariff, any time-of-use pricing, fixed monthly service charges and local taxes all shift the real number. Put your actual per-kWh rate into the calculator above for a figure that reflects your bill.
Questions about television running costs
How many watts does a television use?
A typical television draws about 100 watts while running, with most models falling between 50W and 200W. Check the nameplate label or manual for your specific unit - the range is wide enough that averages can mislead.
How much electricity does a television use per day?
At around 5 hours of use a day and a 100% duty cycle, that works out to roughly 0.5 kWh per day, or about 15 kWh a month. Your actual figure depends on your usage and model.
Why does the cost differ so much between states?
Residential electricity rates across the US range from about 12.35 cents per kWh in North Dakota to 46.62 cents in Hawaii - nearly a fourfold difference. The same television, used identically, therefore costs almost four times as much to run in the most expensive state as in the cheapest.
Is it cheaper to run a television at night?
Only if you are on a time-of-use or variable tariff. On a flat rate, the time of day makes no difference to cost. If you are on time-of-use pricing, off-peak hours are typically materially cheaper, and shifting this load can reduce its cost without reducing usage.