What size inverter do I need to run a TV, you ask? That depends on the size and efficiency of your television. A compact 20-inch television requires a far smaller inverter than a giant home theater screen.

The simplest explanation is that a good inverter is at least 20% larger than the devices you want to power.

As Battery Equivalents explains, TV watts range from about 15 (for a small LED) to 500 (for a massive Plasma screen) (1). Realistically, most televisions use less than 250 watts, with a significant majority of modern screens using less than 100.

While the size of modern TVs suggests otherwise, the truth is that LED and OLED screens are far more efficient power-wise than older televisions, so changing to a new screen can ultimately decrease the size of the power inverter you need (2).

ENERGY STAR certified televisions are, on average, 25 % more energy efficient than conventional models, saving energy in all usage modes: sleep, idle, and on.

However, these calculations only hold true for the TVs themselves. Additional devices like external hard drives, Blu-Ray players, or streaming sticks all increase energy consumption and therefore the size of the power inverter you’ll need.

I’m glad you asked. There are several reasons to get a power inverter that’s larger than you need.

First and foremost: constantly running your power inverter at max causes problems if devices suddenly have a surge in short-term need. If that happens, they could shut down or even break under an unexpected load — ain’t nobody got time for that!

Second, you should ask yourself, “What size inverter do I need to run a TV and other devices?” Put simply, larger sine wave inverters like these grid-tie inverters make it easier to plug in additional devices that you may want to use at the same time.

With a sufficiently sizable inverter, you can run laptops or similar devices and your television, all within a comfortable margin of safety. Inverters have peak efficiency at around 30% output, but even at higher draws, they’re efficient enough to work well when you have a 20% margin (3).

You can reach a point where your power inverter is far larger than necessary, but it’s always better to err on the side of caution and go too big instead of too small.

Mistaking peak output for continuous output will result in buying an inverter that’s far larger than you need.

You can’t power anything if your inverter isn’t big enough to do the job. If your power inverter is too large, the only problem is that you spent a little extra money and have room to spare. To help solve this, you can choose from a handful of highly-rated pure sine inverters that are a good choice for most homes. The key is understanding your usage and needs. 

This is one of the things that people forget more often. Most inverters have two ratings: peak and continuous. Peak loads are short-term spikes in power draws, while continuous ratings are for providing power over continuous, extended periods.

While you want to choose a solid continuous rating that works for your daily, average energy needs, peak loads are crucial, too. To better understand this process, you can check out this video from The Engineering Mindset that explains how inverters work:

Ultimately, peak load ratings should be at least 20 percent higher than your peak needs. If you ask, “What size inverter do I need to run a microwave?” the same holds true. This way, in a short-term draw on power that’s higher than normal, your devices should be able to function normally both during and after the spike.

Many inverters have a peak performance that’s twice their continuous output. This means you can usually find the right number by looking for the smaller of two numbers placed next to each other. For example, if an inverter is labeled 600/300, then the 300 is the continuous rating.

Yes, you can definitely run a TV off an inverter, but you will need to match the TV’s watts to the right capacity inverter. Fortunately, most TVs don’t require a ton of amperage to operate. With the right set up, like a solar system with plenty of batteries, you can run a TV no problem.

Generally speaking, a 300-watt inverter will run a TV with the right solar setup. The average 32″ LED or LCD TV requires between 55 and 70 watts to operate (3). If you’re looking to power something larger, consider a larger power inverter and more battery storage.

The type of inverter that you need to run your tv depends on the amount of energy efficiency that you’re looking for.

A pure sine wave inverter works essentially like your typical wall outlet, and has a smaller chance of damaging your equipment. A modified sine wave inverter simulates a pure AC sine wave, but can’t power more sensitive electronics and causes more wear-and-tear. For an in-depth comparison of pure sine wave inverters vs modified, check out this handy guide.

Dara Brant is the Managing Editor at Green Building Elements. Prior to joining us she covered alternative energy news and local developments at Your Energy Blog. Dara has a passion for sustainable living and wants to do more than her fair share to help build a better tomorrow for future generations. You can connect with Dara on LinkedIn.

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