Last updated on July 1st, 2021
Whether you’re anticipating a gaming marathon or planning to watch all three Lord of the Rings movies back-to-back, you may find yourself wondering— How long can I leave my projector on for?
To avoid overheating, you generally won’t have to worry about turning off your projector. What matters is that the projector has proper ventilation and remains at a safe temperature. While a correctly designed projector could be left on for particularly lengthy periods, there are several reasons why you shouldn’t do this.
In other words, you’re free to binge-watch your favorite tv shows and movies. You’ll also be able to play games for hours, if not days, as long as the projector remains cool with enough ventilation. If you’re wondering how to correctly run your projector so it doesn’t overheat, take a look at our list below.
Many good modern projectors will come pre-fitted with a small internal fan which helps to keep the projector cool as it plays. Technically speaking, as long as the fan is in working order and there are no blockages in the air vents— you could leave your projector running all year long!
However, before you even think about using your projector for long periods of time, there are a few things you’ll need to do.
- Make sure nothing is blocking the filter – Decorative ornaments, books, and other belongings might sometimes pile around the projector. If they are placed near the vents, they can obstruct airflow. Even if no items are near the projector, heat can still be trapped, which is why it’s critical to give the projector lots of room. Keep your projector away from walls.
- Check the filter for blockages – Most projectors have a small filter that keeps dust from entering the components. It’s critical to keep the filter clean at all times because if it becomes clogged with dust, filth, dirt, or any other foreign substances, it won’t be able to get appropriate airflow and you risk burning your components.
- Consider external cooling methods – Adding an external fan to your projector will improve airflow and maybe reduce ambient noise. Adding another fan to the machine is an excellent technique to keep the components cool; however, a cooling pad is quieter and is put beneath the projector, taking up little space.
- Keep the room cool – If your home projector is in a closed, hot room, there could be an issue if it is left switched on for an extended period of time. If you’re planning to leave the projector on for an extended period of time, it’s good to have either semi- or complete air conditioning. It’s also not a bad idea to leave a window open or to make sure there’s adequate ventilation in the room.
- Move other heat sources – Lamps or fairy lights near your projector can cause it to heat up, as they emit heat themselves. Also, electrical devices can have the same effect and cause your projector to overheat. Moving the projector away from other devices allows you to leave it on for longer periods of time without needing to worry.
- Dust your projector regularly – When you dust around and underneath the projector, you can clean the filter. It’s also a good idea to dust the component’s top and sides. You’ll need to make sure that all of the dust around the unit has been cleaned up to avoid any harmful clogging.
It is worth remembering that certain warranties will not cover projectors that have been left on for an extended period of time. Even if your projector does not turn off on its own, pressing the power button is simple. It also doesn’t take long for it to warm up again when you’re ready to resume viewing your favorite shows or playing games.
Do projectors use a lot of electricity?
Most modern projectors typically consume between 150 and 800 watts of electricity every hour, with 300 being the average. This equates to about $0.03 each hour. Naturally, the more frequently you use the projector, the more electricity it consumes.
It could also have an effect on other costs involved with running the gadget. For example, the more regularly you run it, the more frequently you’ll need to replace and maintain the bulb. Over time, this can become costly.
The amount of electricity consumed by your projector is mostly determined by the model you buy and how energy-efficient it is. In most cases, it should only cost you a few dollars a week to run, and that is assuming moderate to heavy usage. We recommend the XGIMI H2 (on Amazon) as it’s built to be used for long periods of time while still being kind on your energy bills.
It also comes fitted with an advanced fan cooling system which helps to prevent the risk of overheating when it’s left switched on.
However, it’s important to note that the amount of electricity your home projector uses will depend on what type you choose to buy. Different types of projectors use different amounts of electricity.
LED projectors
Because LED projectors use LEDs as their light source, they consume very little power and therefore won’t cost you a fortune in energy bills. LED projectors use between 30-150W, depending on the features and specs of the projector.
Battery-powered projectors
Battery-powered projectors, often known as portable or pico projectors, are a relatively recent invention. A battery-powered projector uses an internal Li-ion battery to power the projector and its internal components. A battery-powered projector consumes between 10-90W of power, depending on its size and capability.
DLP projectors
DLP projectors are infamous for their high power consumption, using between 150 and 350W on average. The power consumption of a DLP projector is determined by several factors, including projection technique, light source, projection mode, and the projector itself.
Laser projectors
LASER technology, which is applied in laser projectors, is completely safe. It is suitable to use for extended periods of time. However, it has enormous power requirements. In most cases, laser projectors consume up to 250W of electricity under normal conditions.
