UK households face new TV-related charges starting in two days, as energy regulator Ofgem increases gas and electricity prices by 13% from July 1. According to Uswitch, this will make operating a television marginally more costly, with the average household spending an extra £40.22 per year on electricity just for TV viewing.
Average TV Viewing and Energy Consumption
Broadcasting regulator Ofcom reports that the average person in the UK watches television for four hours and 31 minutes daily. This varies by age: those over 65 watch six hours, while young adults average only 53 minutes. Televisions typically consume between 40W and 200W when switched on, depending on the model and size. A basic 32-inch LCD TV uses far less than a 77-inch OLED streaming in 4K.
Using an average consumption of 100W and the standard viewing time, households spend 12p per day, totaling £42.89 annually. This excludes additional equipment like set-top boxes, Sky boxes, soundbars, or gaming consoles, and does not include the TV licence fee, which rose to £15 per month from April.
Factors Affecting Running Costs
Uswitch explained that multiple factors influence electricity use: type (LED, OLED, QLED), age, size, settings like brightness, and usage hours. QLED TVs tend to use more power than OLEDs, and newer models are generally more efficient. TVs are rated A-G for energy efficiency, with many E-G ratings considered poor.
Uswitch advised: "If you're buying a new TV, think about the size and type of screen you choose. An energy-efficient 32-inch LCD typically uses half the power of a 42-inch plasma model. In general, the smaller your TV, the less it will cost you to run."
Impact of the Price Hike
From July 1, the 13% increase in gas and electricity prices will raise the cost of running a TV. Combined with the TV licence fee, households face total annual costs of over £200 for television use. Uswitch noted that while TVs don't use as much electricity as tumble dryers or fridges, they can be the biggest energy guzzlers among entertainment equipment, especially larger models.
