How Much Electricity Does a TV Use: Costs & Energy-Saving Tips
When energy prices rise and bills start to spike, you begin to examine closely what each device costs to run in your home. As you look at your TV, you may wonder, “How much electricity does a TV use?”
Televisions are among the most used appliances in UK households, yet the way they impact your energy use and wallet isn’t always obvious. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how much electricity a TV uses, the factors that influence it, how to work out your own usage, and simple ways to cut costs.
How Much Electricity Does a TV Use in the UK?
While your TV might not be the biggest energy user in your home, it’s still worth understanding how much electricity a television uses, especially with rising energy prices and longer viewing hours.
In the UK, modern TVs display their energy use on the A–G energy label, which shows how efficient the TV is and how much electricity it uses in both Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and High Dynamic Range (HDR) modes. These figures are shown in kilowatt-hours (kWh) per 1,000 hours of use, which roughly translates to the average power in wattage (W or watts) the TV uses when it’s turned on.
So, how many watts does a TV use, exactly? Here’s a breakdown of typical power draw in standard mode by screen size and display type, based on current models available in the UK:
Screen Size | LED / QLED / Mini-LED | OLED | Older LCD |
24” | 18–25W | — | 30–40W |
32” | 25–45W | — | 50–80W |
43” | 45–80W | — | 80–120W |
50” | 60–100W | — | 90–150W |
55” | 70–120W | 85–115W | 100–160W |
65” | 80–150W | 90–120W | 120–180W |
The actual cost of running your TV depends on your electricity rate and how many hours a day it’s switched on. For instance, a 55-inch OLED that draws about 100 watts could use more than 110 kWh per year if it’s on for three or more hours a day.
At the current UK average electricity rate of 26p per kWh, that works out to roughly £28.60 a year. We’ll show you how to calculate your own TV’s energy use and costs more precisely later.
What about older TVs?
If you’re still using an older television, your energy use could be significantly higher:
CRT TVs (tube models): Smaller sets typically use 55–120 watts, but 27–32” models can draw up to 180–240 watts.
Plasma TVs: These power-hungry screens often use between 200–400 watts depending on brightness and content, especially for 42–50” models.
Standby power
Now, you might also be wondering, how much wattage does a TV use when it’s plugged in but turned off? Well, that’s what we call standby power. Modern TVs use very little electricity in standby mode, usually 0.5 watts or less, thanks to UK and EU eco-design regulations.
While it may seem minor, that small draw runs 24/7. Over a year, that adds up to about 4.4 kWh, or just over £1/year. Still, turning your TV off at the wall fully eliminates even that tiny cost, and it’s a good practice if you’re trying to reduce waste.
Factors Influencing TV Power Use
As you can see, several key factors can affect the answer to “How much energy does a television use?” Let’s break them down:
Screen size
The larger the screen, the more energy it needs to light up. Power usage tends to rise steadily as screen size increases, so a 65” TV will naturally consume more electricity than a 32” set, even if they use the same display technology.
Display technology
Different screen types mean different television electricity consumption:
LED / QLED / Mini-LED (LCD-based): These are the most common and generally energy efficient for their size.
OLED: These use self-lit pixels and can be more efficient in darker scenes but often use more power during bright or HDR content.
Older LCDs (CCFL backlit): These tend to be much less efficient than modern LED TVs and can use significantly more electricity.
Legacy Technologies: Legacy CRT TVs (the old tube models) and Plasma TVs are the least efficient. Even a small 21” set can draw up to 100W.
Brightness & picture settings
Your chosen picture mode has a big impact. “Vivid” or high-brightness settings push backlights or OLED pixels harder, increasing power use. TVs often use much more during HDR playback than SDR, sometimes up to double, especially on large screens. That’s why energy labels publish power use in both modes.
Auto brightness control
Many modern TVs have light sensors that adjust screen brightness based on room lighting. In darker environments, the TV dims the screen slightly, saving energy without much visible change. This is usually called Eco Mode or Ambient Light Detection.
Refresh rate & gaming features
If your 4K TV has features like 120Hz refresh rate, HDR gaming, or variable refresh rate (VRR), it may use more power, particularly during intense, bright scenes in video games or high-performance streaming.
How to Calculate Your TV’s Energy Usage and Costs
To work out how much electricity your TV uses and calculate electricity bill is easier than you might think. All you need is your TV’s power consumption in watts (W), how many hours you regularly watch it, and your electricity unit rate (how much you pay per kWh).
A quick bit of context for the calculation
According to Ofcom’s Media Nations 2025 report, people in the UK spent an average of 4 hours 30 minutes per day watching video content at home in 2024, and 84% of that viewing happened on a TV set. That works out to roughly 3.8 hours of TV watching per day.
As for electricity prices, the current Ofgem price cap (July–September 2025) puts the average UK unit rate at 25.73p per kWh. That’s the figure we’ll use for the examples below.
How to work it out
1. Find your TV’s power usage
Look at your TV’s energy label. The new A–G label shows kWh per 1,000 hours ratings for both SDR and HDR modes, which effectively translate to the TV’s average wattage.
Example: A label showing 90 kWh/1,000 hours means the TV uses around 90 watts in SDR mode.
If the new energy label isn’t available, check the TV’s manual, spec sheet online, or the back of the device, where the power draw in watts (W) is often listed directly.
2. Use the formula
If you’re wondering, how many kWh does a TV use, use these formulas below:
Energy use (kWh/day) = (Watts ÷ 1,000) × hours/day
Energy use (kWh/year) = (Watts ÷ 1,000) × hours/day × 365
Now, to calculate the annual TV running costs on your bill:
Cost (£/year) = kWh/year × electricity rate
Example
You have a 55” OLED TV that uses around 95 watts, and you watch TV for 3.8 hours per day regularly.
Yearly usage: (95 ÷ 1,000) × 3.8 × 365 = 131.8 kWh/year
Annual running cost: 131.8 × £0.2573 = £33.93 per year
At-a-Glance: Typical TV Running Costs
Here’s a quick overview of what different TVs might cost to run, based on typical wattages, 3.8 hours of daily use, and the current 25.73p/kWh rate.
TV Type (Typical) | Power Draw (W) | Cost per Hour | Yearly Usage (kWh) | Annual Cost (£) |
24” LED | 20W | 0.5p | 27.7 kWh | £7 |
32” LED | 35W | 0.9p | 48.5 kWh | £12 |
43” LED | 55W | 1.4p | 76.3 kWh | £20 |
55” OLED | 95W | 2.4p | 131.8 kWh | £34 |
65” LED | 110W | 2.8p | 152.6 kWh | £39 |
HDR content (used in streaming, gaming, or 4K movies) usually consumes more power than SDR. If you regularly watch in HDR, your real energy usage and cost will be a bit higher than shown here.
And remember that energy rates vary slightly depending on where you live and how you pay your bill. If you want a more precise estimate, just plug your actual tariff and daily usage into the formula above.
Practical Tips to Save Your TV’s Energy Use
Small changes add up. If you want to reduce electricity bill in the UK, use these simple, practical steps to cut the power your TV (and anything plugged into your TV area) uses:
1. Use energy-saving or eco modes
Most modern TVs have settings like “Energy Saver” or “Eco Mode” that automatically reduce brightness and backlight intensity to match the lighting in your room. This can lower energy use without making the picture unwatchable. If you prefer to adjust things manually, try lowering the brightness a notch or two — you’ll probably hardly notice the change.
2. Set a sleep timer or auto power-off
It’s easy to leave the TV running by accident, especially late at night. Setting a sleep timer or using the auto power-off feature means the TV will switch itself off if you fall asleep or walk away for a while.
3. Switch off at the wall when not in use
Today’s TVs use very little electricity in standby (around 0.5 watts), but accessories like set-top boxes, soundbars, or older streaming devices can use much more. Plugging them all into a switched power strip and turning it off when you’re done stops this “vampire” power draw completely.
4. Close unused apps and unplug devices you don’t need
Running apps, connected games consoles, or USB devices can keep your TV working harder. Close apps after use, and unplug consoles, Blu-ray players, or extra streaming devices that aren’t part of your daily routine.
5. Save HDR for when it matters
HDR content, such as 4K films, games, and some streaming shows, often uses significantly more power than SDR. For everyday TV or casual viewing, sticking with SDR can help keep usage down, and you can always switch to HDR for movie nights or gaming sessions.
6. Upgrade if you have a very old TV
Plasma and CRT TVs use far more electricity than modern LED or OLED models. Replacing an old set with a modern one can cut your TV energy use by 70–80%.
If you’re watching in a small room or mostly on your own, a smaller screen can still give you a great viewing experience while using less electricity. When buying, check the A–G energy label — the kWh per 1,000 hours figure is the best way to compare efficiency.
7. Think long-term with solar and storage
If you’re keen to cut bills and carbon, pairing daytime solar with home battery storage lets you watch in the evening using power your system generated earlier. Or if you’re on a time-of-use tariff, you can charge the battery cheaply overnight and use it at peak times. It smooths price spikes, covers TVs and other essential loads, and gives some backup resilience.
If you want a beginner-friendly solar system that’s flexible and easy to run, the EcoFlow STREAM Ultra X is a strong fit. It’s an all-in-one unit with integrated storage and a built-in microinverter, so it takes power straight from solar panels and delivers it to your home without a tangle of separate components.
Its scalable capacity of 3.84-23kWh easily handles evening peaks, while four MPPTs (up to 2,000W PV input) help you harvest more across mixed sunlight. Pair it with EcoFlow’s high efficiency 400W/450W/520W solar panels and mount on a balcony, garden frame, roof or even a vertical façade, ideal if a traditional rooftop array isn’t an option.
In the EcoFlow app, tariff-aware schedules and solar forecasts automate off-peak charging and peak-time discharge, no manual juggling needed.
EcoFlow STREAM Ultra X
Conclusion
Understanding how much electricity does a TV use in the UK helps you make smarter choices, whether that’s adjusting settings, cutting standby waste, or upgrading to a more efficient model. Even small changes can add up over the year, lowering both your bills and your environmental impact. And if you want to go further, pairing your TV habits with home solar and storage can let you watch your favourite shows on your own clean, low-cost power. In the end, a little awareness goes a long way towards saving energy without missing a moment of entertainment.
FAQs
How much does it cost to have the TV on all day?
It depends on your TV’s power rating and your electricity price. A modern 55-inch LED TV typically uses around 60–100 watts when running. Left on for a full 24 hours, that’s roughly 1.44–2.40 kWh of electricity. At the current UK average of 25.73p per kWh (July–Sept 2025), this works out to about 37–62p per day, or roughly £11–£19 a month if you did it daily.
To work out your own cost, take the TV’s wattage, divide by 1,000, multiply by the hours it’s on, then multiply by your unit rate. Bigger screens and brighter settings will cost more, while eco modes can save you money.
How much does a TV cost per hour in electricity?
You can figure this out quickly using the formula: (TV watts ÷ 1,000) × your unit rate. Most modern TVs use between 50 and 200 watts, which at the UK average price of 25.73p/kWh means you’ll pay about 1–5p per hour.
For example, a 50W set costs roughly 1.3p/hr, 100W is 2.6p/hr, and 150W is 3.9p/hr. The exact figure depends on your TV’s actual energy draw, which varies with screen size, brightness, and picture mode. Checking your TV’s specifications or energy label will give you the most accurate estimate.
How much does it cost to leave a TV plugged in all day?
If your TV is in standby, modern models are surprisingly efficient. Most use under 1 watt, and UK/EU eco-design rules cap standby at about 0.5W. At 0.5W, that’s just 0.012 kWh a day, costing around 0.3p daily, 9p a month, or roughly £1.10 a year at today’s average rate.
Some features like “quick start” or network standby can push this up slightly, and older TVs might use more. If you want to eliminate even that tiny cost, switching off at the wall is the way to go.
How many kWh does a 55‑inch TV use per day UK?
It depends on the model, settings, and how much you watch, but a typical 55-inch TV using 60–100 watts will consume about 0.24–0.40 kWh per day for four hours of viewing. For example, LG’s 55-inch OLED G2 is rated at 81 kWh per 1,000 hours (SDR), which works out to about 0.081 kWh per hour.
Watching for four hours would use roughly 0.32 kWh, costing around 8p a day at 25.73p per kWh (July–Sept 2025). HDR content, high brightness, or vivid picture modes will push energy use higher, while eco settings can bring it down.