From July, UK households with televisions will see an average annual energy cost of £42.89, according to calculations based on typical usage, excluding the cost of a TV Licence. While televisions are one of the most used appliances in homes, running multiple devices alongside them can push energy bills higher, particularly in larger households.
Rising Energy Prices Affect Everyday TV Use
The cost comes amid broader price increases as Ofgem raises gas and electricity prices by 13% from July 1. Even with the increase, televisions remain relatively efficient compared with other household appliances, though larger screens, higher brightness settings, and additional devices can add to consumption.
According to Ofcom, the average UK person watches TV for four hours and 31 minutes per day, though this varies by age. Older adults over 65 watch the most, averaging six hours, while younger adults may only watch around 53 minutes daily. Using an average energy draw of 100 watts for this viewing period, the calculated cost of TV energy use amounts to roughly 12p per day, or £42.89 per year.
Factors That Influence TV Energy Costs
Energy consumption depends on several factors, including the type of television, its size, age, and settings. Older models and larger screens, particularly high-powered OLED or QLED TVs, tend to consume more electricity, while newer, energy-efficient LED or LCD models are cheaper to run. The use of additional devices such as set-top boxes, Sky boxes, soundbars, or games consoles will further increase energy costs.
According to USwitch, televisions are rated on an energy efficiency scale from A to G. Many models fall into the E to G range, which is considered poor for household appliances. Choosing smaller screens or energy-efficient models can significantly reduce annual costs.
TV Licence Costs Add to Overall Expenses
The energy cost of running a TV is separate from the TV Licence, which increased to £15 per month in April. Households require a licence to watch any live television or access the BBC iPlayer service, meaning the total cost of keeping a TV running includes both energy and licensing fees.
What Households Can Do
While televisions are relatively modest consumers of electricity compared with appliances like tumble dryers or fridges, households should remain mindful of usage. Reducing screen brightness, choosing energy-efficient models, and limiting standby power use can all help lower bills. For families with multiple large screens, the total cost can quickly exceed the average, highlighting the cumulative impact of energy use in modern homes.
With energy prices set to rise further in the summer, even small daily costs like TV usage can add up, reinforcing the importance of managing household electricity consumption carefully.
