Energia conducted research analysing over 90 of the most popular TV shows across Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ to find out which ones use the most energy if you were to watch them from start to finish.
Using IMDb rankings and the total runtime of each series, Energia calculated how many hours it would take to complete each show, and how much energy it would use to watch on a 55-inch LED TV, before comparing it to using other typical household appliances.
Law and Order tops the list in the study. With 517 episodes, the crime series, known for its iconic courtroom drama, takes 388 hours to watch all episodes and uses 44.979 kWh of energy. That equates to taking five long showers. It is no surprise this fan-favourite tops the rankings, especially given Ireland’s appetite for a good whodunnit.
Next up is NCIS, the mix of mystery, drama and quirky characters that has kept us hooked for years. With 482 episodes and around 345 hours of action-packed screen time, it chews through 40.070 kWh of energy. That is on a par with leaving your immersion on for a staggering 26 hours.
Taking third place is Grey’s Anatomy, the medical drama filled with emotional twists and unforgettable characters. With 435 episodes and a total of 311 hours of watching time, watching the entire series uses 36.163 kWh of energy. That is enough to use an electric heater to keep you warm for 14 hours.
Supernatural lands in fourth place, with 327 episodes packed with monsters, mystery and even a touch of Irish mythology. Watching the full series takes 229 hours and uses 26.552 kWh of energy, which would do 10 full loads in the tumble dryer.
Rounding out the top five is Criminal Minds, a psychological drama centred around the FBI’s Behavioural Analysis Unit. With 324 episodes and 226 hours of content, it consumes 26.309 kWh of energy. That is similar to what you would need to cook dinner in the oven 12 times.
So, whether you are solving crimes with your favourite detectives or watching love blossom in a hospital corridor, watching your favourite show is a great way to relax. If you want to cut back on the energy you use for entertainment, reading a book will cost you nothing at all.
For more information, visit www.energia.ie
