Google TV will have a new feature to reduce your electricity bill

A new update is coming to Google TV that could help users save money by reducing unnecessary power consumption. The system, now used in over 270 million devices worldwide, is preparing to launch a long-requested feature: a sleep timer to automatically turn off the television.

Sleep timer aims to reduce wasted energy

Google TV users will soon be able to program their TVs to turn off after a set time, a major step towards lowering energy bills. While some manufacturers had already introduced their own auto-off functions, this is the first time Google TV integrates it natively. This means all compatible TVs—regardless of brand—will benefit from the update without needing specific customizations from the manufacturer.

The upcoming feature was uncovered by Android Authority through the latest update to the Google TV Home app. Code snippets refer to a “Sleep Timer BroadcastReceiver” and a “Sleep TimerFallbackActivity,” hinting that the development is well advanced. Users will be able to set, pause or cancel the timer, with on-screen messages to notify them when the TV is about to power down.

A small feature with real financial impact

While the timer may seem minor, its impact could be significant. A Smart TV left on overnight could consume up to 2.4 kWh if running for 8 hours, which translates to around €0.31 per night at today’s electricity prices. If this happens daily, it could add more than €100 per year to your electricity bill.

By introducing a simple tool like this, Google TV not only improves the user experience but also addresses everyday energy waste in a practical way.