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All of the comments about the heat generated by these old TV's has me contemplating repurposing them as electric heaters. They can even be looping some xmas time fireplace video.

But seriously, would these be any less efficient than an electric baseboard heater?

If the repurposed plasma screen heater is consuming 400W, is it releasing 400W of heat?

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400W is 400W - so yes, any electric appliance which generates heat is as efficient as a resistive electric heater is. Whatever tiny amounts of power are leaking as light or sound or electromagnetic waves are miniscule compared to the heat.

However, we have better ways of heating. An AC unit running in heat mode, or an air source heat pump, will move 4x the heat into your room than it takes in electricity to run. So although running a plasma is equal to running a resistive baseboard heater, if you want the best bang for your kWh you should get a minisplit air conditioner or air source heat pump.

> But seriously, would these be any less efficient than an electric baseboard heater?

No. Of course, those aren't very efficient.

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