How to cut costs RUNNING A TELEVISION
How much electricity does a TV use? Plus easy ways you can trim your energy bills
Your television can be the most power-hungry of all your entertainment equipment, particularly the largest sets,’ says Brian Horne, senior insights and analytics consultant at the Energy Saving Trust. ‘The larger a TV screen, the more energy it will consume, regardless of its energy rating.
‘Even the most efficient 60-inch
TV is still more expensive to run per year compared to the lowest-rated 32-inch model. By choosing a smaller TV, you are generally saving more energy.’
TVS are rated for energy efficiency on a scale of A–G, but since the scale was revised in March 2021, most will have an E-G rating. For an idea of energy usage, look at the kwh/1000h number on the label to work out how much it’ll cost to run over an average year (1,000 hours a year adds up to around two to three hours per day or about 19 hours a week).
According to the Energy Saving Trust the national average price (as of April 2022) per pence/kwh of electricity is 34.1p. We have rounded it to 34p for illustrative purposes.
How much does a TV cost to run?
An example 55-inch LED TV (rated G) uses 103kwh over 1,000 hours of viewing. This means that it’ll cost £35.02 when in use. A similar 55-inch QLED TV (rated F) uses 77kwh over 1,000 hours of viewing, costing £26.18 to run. Size it up and the impact is noticeable. A G-rated 75-inch LED TV uses 171kwh over 1,000 hours of viewing, meaning that the cost is £58.14, while an E-rated QLED 75-inch uses just 107kwh in comparison, costing £36.38.
What increases running cost?
Leaving the TV on standby will increase the annual running cost. ‘TVS and game consoles, which are usually left on standby, account for a worrying 19% of total electrical use in the average household, or 9% of the nation’s energy bill,’ says Matt Manning, group carbon and environment manager at Currys.
How else can I cut the cost of running a TV?
If choosing a smaller TV screen isn’t an option, one way to save is to turn down the brightness. Factory settings are typically brighter than is necessary for most homes. Take it down to the lowest you’re happy with to reduce consumption.
Any other energy-saving tips?
Have the TV on less. While we’re not suggesting you limit yourself to one show a night, there are many of us who flick the TV on out of habit without really watching it. If it’s background noise you like, try putting on the radio, music or a podcast instead of reaching for the TV remote.