Televisions are one of the most-used appliances in UK homes, often running for 4–6 hours per day. While modern TVs are far more energy-efficient than older CRT and plasma models, they still contribute meaningfully to your electricity bill — especially larger screens and those left on standby overnight. Screen size, display technology, and brightness settings all impact how much your TV costs to run.
Quick Answer: TV Running Costs by Screen Size
Based on the UK average electricity rate of approximately 24.5p per kWh, watching for 5 hours per day:
| Screen Size | Typical Wattage | Cost Per Hour | Daily (5 hrs) | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32" LED | 25 – 40W | 0.6p – 1.0p | 3p – 5p | £11 – £18 |
| 43" LED | 40 – 60W | 1.0p – 1.5p | 5p – 7p | £18 – £27 |
| 50" LED | 55 – 80W | 1.3p – 2.0p | 7p – 10p | £25 – £36 |
| 55" OLED | 80 – 120W | 2.0p – 2.9p | 10p – 15p | £36 – £54 |
| 65" LED/QLED | 90 – 140W | 2.2p – 3.4p | 11p – 17p | £40 – £63 |
| 75" LED/QLED | 120 – 180W | 2.9p – 4.4p | 15p – 22p | £54 – £81 |
Key takeaway: A modern 50" LED TV costs approximately £25–£36 per year to run (5 hours/day). The biggest factor in TV running costs is screen size — a 75" TV costs roughly 3 times more to run than a 32" TV.
Running Costs by Display Technology
Different TV technologies have different power characteristics:
LED/LCD TVs
The most common and generally most efficient type. LED TVs use a backlight behind the LCD panel. Power consumption is relatively consistent regardless of what's displayed on screen. Typical range: 30–150W depending on size.
OLED TVs
OLED pixels produce their own light, so power consumption varies significantly with content. Dark scenes use less power (pixels literally turn off), while bright, colourful content uses more. Average power is typically 80–150W for 55"–65" sizes, but peak power can be higher during HDR content.
QLED TVs
QLED (Samsung's branding) are essentially LED TVs with quantum dot enhancement for better colour. Power consumption is similar to standard LED TVs of the same size, sometimes slightly higher due to higher peak brightness. Range: 70–180W for 55"–75" sizes.
Plasma TVs (legacy)
If you still have a plasma TV, it likely uses 2–3 times more electricity than a modern LED equivalent. A 50" plasma typically draws 150–300W. Replacing it with a modern LED could save £40–£80 per year in electricity.
The Hidden Cost: Standby Power
TVs are one of the worst offenders for standby power drain. When you press "off" on the remote, most TVs don't fully switch off — they enter standby mode to enable instant-on and receive software updates:
| TV Type | Standby Power | Hours in Standby/Day | Annual Standby Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modern smart TV (2020+) | 0.3 – 1W | 19 hours | £0.50 – £1.70 |
| Smart TV (2015–2020) | 1 – 3W | 19 hours | £1.70 – £5.10 |
| Older TV (pre-2015) | 3 – 10W | 19 hours | £5.10 – £17.00 |
| TV + soundbar + streaming box | 5 – 15W combined | 19 hours | £8.50 – £25.50 |
When you add a soundbar, streaming stick, game console, and set-top box — all on standby — the combined standby drain of your entertainment system can cost £20–£50 per year. Use our standby power calculator to check your setup.
Factors That Affect TV Power Consumption
- Screen brightness: Reducing brightness from maximum to 50% can cut power consumption by 20–40%. Most people watch with brightness set far higher than necessary, especially in the evening.
- Content type: Dark content (movies, dramas) uses less power on OLED TVs. Bright content (sports, news) uses more.
- HDR mode: HDR content pushes the TV to higher peak brightness, increasing power draw by 20–50% compared to SDR.
- Eco mode: Most modern TVs have an eco/energy-saving mode that adjusts brightness based on room light. This typically saves 15–30% energy.
- Connected devices: USB-powered devices (streaming sticks, Chromecast) draw power from the TV even when the TV is off, if the USB port remains powered.
- Volume: Built-in speakers at high volume use slightly more power, though the difference is minimal (1–3W).
Tips to Reduce TV Running Costs
- Enable eco mode — this automatically adjusts brightness based on ambient light, saving 15–30% energy.
- Reduce backlight/brightness — most TVs ship with brightness at maximum for showroom impact. Reduce it to 40–60% for comfortable viewing.
- Use a smart power strip — plug your TV, soundbar, and streaming devices into one strip and switch everything off at once when not in use.
- Set a sleep timer — if you fall asleep watching TV, a sleep timer prevents it running all night (potentially 8 hours of wasted electricity).
- Turn off at the wall — switching off standby saves £1–£25 per year depending on your setup's age and complexity.
- Disable quick-start/instant-on — this feature keeps the TV in a higher-power standby state. Disabling it saves energy but adds a few seconds to startup time.
- Consider screen size when buying — every step up in screen size increases running costs. A 55" TV costs roughly double what a 43" TV costs to run annually.
TV Running Cost vs Other Appliances
To put TV costs in perspective:
- A 50" LED TV running 5 hours/day: ~£30/year
- A single tumble dryer cycle: ~88p (equivalent to watching TV for 40+ hours)
- A kettle boil: ~4p (equivalent to watching a 50" TV for 2.5 hours)
- An electric shower (8 min): ~31p (equivalent to watching TV for 15+ hours)
TVs are relatively cheap to run compared to heating and high-wattage appliances. The main concern is standby drain across multiple devices rather than active viewing costs.
Calculate Your Exact TV Costs
Use our free energy cost calculator to work out your TV's exact running cost. Check the wattage on the TV's label (usually on the back), enter your daily viewing hours, and your electricity rate for an accurate annual estimate.