Welsh homeowners with a television will face an additional £42.89 in annual energy costs starting from July 1, as energy regulator Ofgem raises gas and electricity prices by 13%. The increase affects the cost of running TVs, which are among the most commonly used appliances in British homes.
According to broadcasting regulator Ofcom, the average person in the UK watches television for four hours and 31 minutes daily, though this varies by age: those over 65 watch six hours, while young adults watch just 53 minutes. Powering gaming consoles, streaming services, and soundbars further adds to household expenses.
Cost Breakdown for Average Viewing
Based on an average TV consumption of 100 watts and typical daily viewing of four and a half hours, households will spend 12 pence per day on television energy use. Over a year, this totals £42.89, according to USwitch. This figure excludes additional connected equipment such as set-top boxes, Sky boxes, sound systems, or gaming consoles, and does not include the TV Licence, which rose to £15 per month in April.
Energy efficiency varies significantly by TV type. USwitch notes that most TVs consume between 40 and 200 watts when switched on, depending on the model, size, age, and settings. For example, a budget 32-inch LCD TV uses far less power than a 77-inch OLED at maximum brightness streaming 4K content.
Factors Affecting TV Energy Use
USwitch advises that multiple factors influence running costs: type (LED, OLED, QLED), age, screen size, brightness settings, and usage duration. Newer TVs tend to be more efficient, and smaller screens generally consume less electricity. TVs are rated for energy efficiency on a scale of A-G, with many models rated E-G, considered poor.
“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,” a USwitch spokesperson said. “In general, the smaller your TV, the less it will cost you to run, but the type of television is also crucial, as is its age.”
Impact of the Price Rise
The 13% increase in energy costs from July 1 will make running a TV marginally more expensive. However, USwitch notes that compared to other household appliances like tumble dryers and fridges, televisions do not use that much electricity. “But they can be the biggest energy guzzlers of your entertainment equipment, particularly if they're large,” the spokesperson added.
Welsh households should consider upgrading to more efficient models or adjusting settings to reduce consumption. The £42.89 annual cost is based on average usage and does not account for regional variations or additional devices.
