How much does it cost to run a TV?

The answer starts from the official energy figure on the energy label. This page uses the median of every TV registered for sale in the UK in our dataset, then scales it to your usage and your electricity price. Change the assumptions to match your home.

Short answer. The median TV registered for sale in the UK has 77 kWh a year on its label. At 4 hours a day and 26.32p/kWh, that is about £30 a year. Half of the models on the market fall between £22 and £39 at the same usage.

Where to find the numbers

kWh per 1,000 hours is on the energy label. Your electricity price is the unit rate on your bill (p/kWh).

What the figure is based on

The label figure is kWh per 1,000 hours in SDR at the label brightness; HDR content and high brightness settings use more. Standby is not included.

What changes the cost

• Brightness and picture mode: the label figure is at a set brightness; vivid or shop modes and HDR content use more.
• Screen size and technology: bigger screens draw more; OLED and mini-LED vary with what is on screen.
• Hours on is the lever: the label assumes a set number of hours; a TV left on as background can double the figure.
• Standby and quick-start: quick-start or always-listening modes keep the set drawing power when it looks off.
• Connected devices: soundbars, consoles and set-top boxes add their own consumption on top.

Compare TVs by energy use and running cost to see every model behind this figure.

Not sure what size you need? Use the TV size calculator first.

For a specific model or any other appliance, use the electricity cost calculator.