From July, UK households will see a 13% increase in the cost of running a television, according to energy regulator Ofgem. The average household watching TV for 4 hours and 30 minutes daily will spend 12p per day, amounting to £42.89 annually, based on an average consumption of 100W.
This figure excludes additional equipment like set-top boxes, Sky boxes, soundbars, or games consoles, and does not include the TV licence fee, which rose to £15 per month from April. Larger TVs or multiple devices will increase costs further.
According to USwitch, televisions typically use between 40W and 200W when switched on, depending on size and type. Energy efficiency ratings range from A to G, with many older or larger models rated E-G, which is considered poor.
USwitch advises that smaller, energy-efficient models, such as a 32-inch LCD, use about half the power of a 42-inch plasma screen. Age and screen type also significantly impact running costs.
