Introduction
Our TV may be one of the most neglected devices in the home even though we use it daily. When buying mattresses, gadgets, or even food, we are keen to know the lifespan to conclude whether or not we should continue with the purchase. Did you take such a step when buying your TV? I guess the answer is no. Since everything has a lifespan, it is only ideal that we know that of our TV, and how to maintain it properly to ensure it stays functional throughout its lifespan. Let us know ‘How Long Do TVs Last?’.
How Long Do TVs Last?
Modern TVs are designed with about 40,000 to 80,000 run times, which is approximately 4 to 8 years. So, on average, an LED TV can last for about 5 to 8 years with normal use but can last up to 10 years with minimal use. An OLED TV can last even longer, up to 13 years, with optimal care.
What is the lifespan of a TV?
Some of those old box TVs our parents owned while we were growing up had long lifespans. In fact, I can bet that some of them still work to date; nevertheless, you can barely find such in homes these days as LED TVs have taken over. Smart or LED TVs come with more advanced features than old box TVs, and as such, it is only ideal that you wonder about their durability, especially because they don’t come cheap.
According to TVs manufacturer sheets, the industry standard for modern TVs’ lifespan is about 100,000 hours, which is about 11 years; however, this doesn’t entirely mean that the picture quality, sound, brightness, and other features will remain as sharp as they were for these entire years.
The quality of modern TVs degrades with time and use, irrespective of how much maintenance it gets. Remember, a TV has different components, which can each impact its durability too. LED backlights are usually the first to deteriorate, lasting for about 4 to 6 years with consistent use or 10 years max, if other components remain functional.
Smart TVs today have operating systems that need constant updates like your phone or PC software. Manufacturers won’t stop producing new versions, and after a while, your may seem like an old version that they cannot continue to provide support for. Sometimes this happens after about six years or so and as such, you may have to upgrade it even if the TV remains in good condition.
Since TVs aren’t devices that you move around often, your usage is what impacts their functionality positively or negatively and determines whether or not they will be durable.
What are the different types of TVs?
After graduating from box TVs, we went on to plasma TVs, and even though you can still find them functioning in some homes today, we will be focusing on the common TV types widely in use and available now.
LCD TVs
LCD or Liquid Crystal display TVs aren’t strange to us. It’s a type of TV that uses liquid crystals to allow light or block it from passing through. These crystals are not visible, so don’t expect to see the movement of liquid on your TV display. The liquid crystal doesn’t emit light to produce an image on its own; it uses fluorescent lamps to illuminate the crystal to provide the picture quality you see on the screen. On the downside, LCD TVs do not have a wider viewing angle and so, they are only best for small spaces with limited viewing angles.
LED TVs
These are an upgrade to LCD TVs, but unlike LCD, LED TVs use light-emitting diode lamps to produce images on the screen. These lams are energy-efficient, and because they do not contain mercury, they are environmentally friendly.
OLED TVs
OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode. What this means is that instead of using a backlight or an external current to provide light like with LCD TVs, it uses an organic carbon compound with LED lights to produce the images you see as electricity flows through. As such, it produces better images with sharp picture quality. In terms of contrast and brightness, LED TVs have better image quality than LCD TVs, and their viewing angles are not limited.
QLED TVs
These are the newer versions of LED TVs introduced in 2015. Quantum light emitting diode (QLED) TVs use quantum dots to generate the images you see on the screen and so, they have better readability because of their enhanced color production and high ratio of contrast. Additionally, they consume lower energy, and quantum dots cannot cause burn-ins, something that is common with LED and OLED TVs.
How can you make your TV last longer?
Once you unbox a new TV, connect it to a power source, and begin to use it, it starts to degrade. When I say degrade, I’m referring to the LED panel or backlights, which produce the images you watch on the TV. To ensure that your TV lives out its lifespan and remains functional until you upgrade it, here are some things you can do to prolong its life.
Keep your TV clean always
Dust can settle on TV easily, especially if you mount it close to surfaces where dust can settle. If you continue to allow dust to settle on your TV without cleaning it, it can prevent adequate ventilation from reaching the components inside, which will then lead to overheating and other issues that will damage the TV. So, keep the surrounding area close to where the TV is mounted clean, while you also use a soft and damp fiber cloth and mild dish soap to wipe your TV regularly.
Turn your TV off when it’s not in use
Some people are accustomed to leaving their television on even throughout the night while they sleep. This practice can reduce the lifespan of your TV over time. Remember that the lifespan of your TV is calculated in run time. For a TV that has 80,000 hours of run time, turning it off for six hours when not in use will save about 2,000 hours per year. So, if it’s not actively in use, turn it off.
Limit your time of usage
Excessive usage of your TV can cause it to overheat and damage the components, especially the motherboard. Also, running your TV for a long time without breaks in between can impair the speakers and screen. After watching the TV for about five hours, you can let it rest for 20 minutes before you continue to use it again.
Adjust the picture features accordingly
TVs in showrooms are usually set to high brightness and contrast levels to meet up the brightness level of the room. When you get a new TV, adjust the brightness and contrast level according to the need of the room where you mount it. If the room is dark, increase the brightness level and if there are many windows, decrease the brightness. Also, set your contrast according to your environment.
These settings rely on your backlight, and when left too high, they cause the backlight to consume too much energy, which can reduce the lifespan of your TV.
Don’t place any covering over the ventilation system?
All the components inside your TV need proper ventilation to prevent them from overheating. This is why you are advised to mount your TV where there is an adequate flow of air. In addition, ensure that the ventilation opening on the TV isn’t blocked or covered in any way if not, it may lead to overheating.
Connect your TV to a voltage regulator or surge protector
It is very dangerous to connect your TV directly to a power source without a surge protector or voltage regulator. A voltage regulator or surge protector acts like a blockade that prevents high currents from passing directly into your TV and damaging it. They stabilize the current to the normal power that your TV needs and can handle.
Mount the TV on the wall
If your TV is installed on a shelf or the floor, the risk of mistakenly knocking it over is high. Also, being close to the ground means it will accumulate dust easily, and you may not even get a great viewing angle. Most modern TV comes with mounting brackets and screws with which you can mount your TV on the wall.
Which TV brand is more durable?
Buying branded TVs is ideal because of their durability. Some of the best TV brands that have impressive durability include Samsung, Panasonic, LG, and Sony. In all, Samsung has proven over time to be more highly durable than even the others on this list.
Apart from the brands named above, there’s a list of unbranded or unnamed TVs on the market at cheaper or more affordable costs. Buying such may seem economical too but in long term, you can’t trust their durability and may end up spending more than you bargained in fixing different faults. Nevertheless, the choice is yours to make.
How do you know when it’s time to change your TV?
You don’t always have to wait until you see signs before you upgrade your TV; nevertheless, if you are already experiencing any of the below, it’s time to get a new TV.
- You noticed that your electricity bill has suddenly increased
- Your TV loads slowly compared to before
- The speakers or overall sound quality has significantly degraded
- You still use an LCD or the old TV box
- There is a sign of burn-in n your screen
- You notice a streak of colored lines across your screen
- The screen is cracked
- The colors are fading and reading small text becomes difficult
Conclusion
The lifespan of TVs is usually between 40,000 to 100,000 hours if runtime, which is about 4 to 10 years; however, the brand you buy and how you use the TV will determine whether or not it will last. Your TV isn’t like other electronics; it requires care and should be allowed to rest too. If you can follow the tips we have discussed above, then your TV will max out its lifespan in great condition.
FAQs
What is the first thing that gets worse in a TV?
The LED panel or Backlights. These degrade over time with use, and the best way to prolong their durability is to set your backlight to a level that minimizes reflections and glare.
Do LED TVs last longer than OLED or QLED TVs?
No, OLED and QLED TVs are more durable than LED TVs; however, they require extra care and are more expensive than LED TVs.
