LEDs have become a mainstay since replacing LCDs. Due to their low power output, bright displays, and longevity, they have become a non-negotiable choice for content consumers. Although LEDs pride themselves as energy-efficient, they still consume significant power. It varies according to size and brightness level.
As a potential buyer, it’s essential to comprehend their consumption to optimize usage, reduce energy prices, and minimize the environmental impact. This article will discuss LED display power consumption and other related details about LEDs.
What Are LEDs?
LEDs or Light-emitting Diodes are electronic technologies that produce light when current moves through them. Discovered by H.J Round and his team of scientists, LEDs use a semiconductor material, mainly made of gallium arsenide, to produce light. When current passes through the material, it agitates the electrons, causing them to generate energy. This energy turns to light.
Unlike regular bulbs or incandescent lamps, LEDs use up over 90% of electrical energy during conversion into the light. As a result, they tend to be more energy efficient than typical bulbs. That also demystifies why LEDs produce less heat than incandescent light and have a more prolonged lifespan. The latter produces light by heating the filament at a high temperature.
Since LEDs don’t have filaments, they are less prone to damage and shock. They are also less susceptible to temperature or weather changes, making them perfect for outdoor lighting. Nevertheless, these emitting diodes still need power to function.
Before LEDs became widespread, LCDs were the mainstay. However, they are power-hungry, have low contrast, and are characterized by poor bright displays. They are also expensive to manufacture due to their complexity. Manufacturers delved into LED production and have never looked back. LED is the building block of other displays, such as QLED and OLED.
Since LEDs use significantly less energy and last about 25x longer than traditional light, consumers can save more over time on purchase costs and repairs. The fact that they produce less heat also means that the load on A/C systems in warmer conditions will be minimized.
LEDs come in various shapes and sizes and are used in a wide range of applications, from household lighting to automotive lighting. They also come in different colors for use in different applications.
LED Display Power Consumption Explained
This is the quantity of electricity that an LED uses during operation. The amount varies according to the display size, brightness level, pixel density, etc. As mentioned, LEDs use less energy than traditional displays, like CRT and LCDs.
Factors That Impact LED Display Power Consumption
LEDs expend less heat and energy, but they can still consume some power. The consumption rate depends on the following;
Screen size
Screen size is a significant factor that influences the rate of consumption. The larger the display, the more power it expends. Typically, larger displays expend more energy than smaller screens because they require more light-emitting diodes to form a picture.
Brightness Level
The brighter the display, the more power it expends. This is because LEDs use more power to generate light.
Resolution
Higher-resolution displays need more power to function. This could be the reason why your display is taking so much power.
Type of Content
The display content will contribute to power consumption. Animations or videos use more power than images or text.
Refresh rate
The refresh or update rate is the frequency at which a picture or image reloads. Displays with higher refresh rates will significantly expend more power. For example, a 240 Hertz screen will consume more power than a 120 Hertz display.
Pixel Pitch
An LED display with a lower pixel density will typically expend more energy than those with a higher pixel volume, as they need more diodes to form a higher-resolution picture.
Color
LEDs produce multiple colors, such as white, black, blue, etc. However, some need more energy than others. For example, white uses more power than black because the LEDs use more diodes to output more light.
How is an LED Power Consumption Calculated?
Calculating power consumption isn’t rocket science. Thankfully, you can determine the amount of power your LED consumes without consulting a technical expert. You can know how much watts your display expends with the formula below:
Power Consumption (PC) = Screen Area (SA) x Power Density (PD) x Brightness (B), where SA denotes the whole area of the display in share meters, PD is the amount of power expended per square meter (W/m²), and B is the brightness percentage.
Let’s do some calculations with the formula. Suppose you have a 4m x 4m screen with a power density of 400 W/m² and a brightness of 60%. In that case, the power consumption would be 3,840 watts per square meter (W/m²).
As you already know, the power consumption of LEDs is measured in watts per square meter (W/m²). This refers to the amount of power that is expended by the display per square meter of the total screen area.
What is the Average Power Consumption of an LED Display?
The average consumption varies according to several factors. As mentioned, the screen size, update rate, color, brightness level, pixel density, and color can affect consumption. Typically, an LED will expend between 100 and 1000 W/m². LEDs with a higher update rate, screen size, and resolution will significantly consume power.
Measuring LED Display Power Use
Measuring and calculating power use are two different things. Measuring power consumption refers to determining the amount of electric current flowing through the device. Measuring consumption requires a wattmeter. This electronic device connects the power outlet to the LED. The power consumption will be displayed on the wattmeter in watts (W).
Many consumers have reported inaccurate readings with the wattmeter. So to avoid this issue, obtain the measurement under usual conditions. It means the LED should be displaying content at the typical brightness level. Additionally, you should do the measurement over a period, like an hour, to get the accurate average value.
Tips on How to Save and Optimize Energy Consumption
You can save more money on energy costs by reducing power consumption. Below are tips to help you achieve your aim:
Set Brightness to the Optimal Level
High brightness levels contribute to energy expenditure. However, adjusting the level will lead to optimal power consumption. We recommend an ambient light sensor to automatically regulate brightness based on lighting conditions.
Research the Manufacturer
Not all LEDs are energy-efficient. Manufacturers make different ones of various qualities. Ensure you use LEDs with high luminous efficacy to minimize energy expendability. This means researching the manufacturer before purchasing.
Use a Larger Pixel Density
We earlier mentioned that lower pixel density displays consume more energy than larger pixel density displays, as they require more diodes to form the exact resolution image. So use LEDs with a larger pixel pitch.
Use Dark Backgrounds More Often
Displays with a dark background consume less power than those with white or other colorful backgrounds because LEDs don’t need to generate much light to form the display.
Switch Off the Screen When Not In Use
Doing something as simple as switching off the display when not in use can save a lot of power and eventually energy costs. You can also minimize screen use for the best cost-effectiveness.
Set the Refresh Rate to the Appropriate Level
A high refresh rate will consume power. Lowering it, on the other hand, can minimize consumption and costs. However, the display may not be smooth, so adjust it according to your preference.
Use an Energy-saving Mode
Many LEDs come with an in-built energy-saving mode that can significantly minimize power when the display is not in use. If you don’t know how to activate it, refer to the manual.
You can also activate the power management system. It automatically regulates power use according to usage patterns. However, not all LED displays have this.
Costs of Electricity
The expenses related to power consumption vary according to different factors including resolution, brightness level, and electricity rate. To help you decide on the right LED display option, we have created a table showing the energy consumption estimation of indoor and outdoor LED displays.
| Types of LED Display | Maximum Level of Brightness | Average Energy Consumption | Annual Average Cost of Energy |
| High-Resolution Full Color P4 Indoor LED Display | 1800nits | 290W/m | $500/m |
| P6 Indoor Full Color LED Display | 1800nits | 290W/m | $500/m |
| High-Resolution Full Color P6 Outdoor LED Display | 7000nits | 375W/m | $650/m |
| Full Color P8 Outdoor LED Display | 7000nits | 400W/m | $700/m |
| Full Color P10 Outdoor LED Display | 7000nits | 450W/m | $790/m |
| Energy-Saving Full Color Outdoor LED Display | 7000nits | 200W/m | $350/m |
Conclusion
LED display power consumption is a crucial point every content consumer must understand to save energy costs and our precious environment. You must have this in mind if you are in the market for an LED display.
Comprehending how many watts an LED uses and the factors that affect it will play a crucial role in reducing energy use. With these tips mentioned above, you can reduce operating costs and even make your display last much longer.
If you need more information or advice on LED display technology and its power consumption rate, please contact us. We will be happy to attend to your request and queries.
