How Much Power Does Times Square Use? Do It Consume A Lot of Power?
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Times Square is one of the most popular destinations in New York City, and as it is lit all year long, Times Square needs to stay lit seven days a week, 24 hours a day, which translates to a lot of energy consumed. While the lights make this location a tourist attraction, they also consume a ton of power. But how much power is a lot of power? It’s estimated that Times Square uses 161 megawatts at any time, which is enough electricity to power over 161,000 households.
Keep reading to discover more about Times Square and its power consumption. The amount of electricity will amaze you, especially compared to other landmarks worldwide.
How Does It Work?
Times Square needs to stay lit 24 hours a day throughout the year. To power Times Square many workers and machines must do their jobs perfectly. Times Square is considered one of the world’s most expensive advertising real estate and the perfect connection between labor and technology makes this lovely square light up in all its glory. The tourists coming to see the lights provide the funding needed to run the square.
How Much Power Does Time Square Use?
As you may expect, Times Square uses a lot of energy throughout the year to stay lit. Since Times Square is so big, including other parts such as the Theater District and the block stretching outwards, it is impossible to know the exact amount of energy used. Some estimates attempt to estimate just how much energy Times Square uses, which is around 161 megawatts. To put this amount of energy into perspective—1 megawatt of energy can power a thousand homes across the US. The amount of power used to light up Times Square is equal to 161,000 US homes.
Comparing the Power Usage of Lighting Landmarks Throughout the World
To further put the power requirements of Times Square into perspective, here’s a comparison to other famous lighting landmarks around the world.
| Landmarks | Power Usage |
| Times Square | 161 Megawatts |
| Eiffel Tower | 22 Megawatts |
| Las Vegas Strip | 8,000 Megawatts |
| Ain Dubai Ferris Wheel | 14 Megawatts |
| Spectra Light & Water Show | 2.5 Megawatts |
| Blackpool Illuminations | 15 Megawatts |
Final Words
Since Times Square is such a fascinating destination to visit, many tourists and even locals wonder about the story behind it. Times Square is famous worldwide for its unique appearance and the amount of light used to power the entire square. The power consumption used may astound you, especially when put into perspective with other landmarks.
While 161 megawatts may not sound like a lot, it can be used to power 161,000 homes across the US. This number shows just how majestic and grandiose Times Square is.
Featured Image Credit: Aurusdorus, Pixabay
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