Welcome to the screen test! With people now spending on average four hours and thirty minutes watching video content at home, according to a 2024 Ofcom report1, it’s natural to wonder: how much electricity does a TV use? As living costs continue to stretch household budgets, knowing your television’s energy consumption is one of those small but useful steps in keeping track of your bills.
We’ve crunched the numbers on what a television costs to run, how much it uses even on standby power, and what those energy ratings on the sticker really mean. Along the way, we’ll share some easy ways to cut down your TV’s energy use without missing your favourite shows.
What makes a TV cost money to run?
The running cost of your TV is determined by the amount of energy it uses, as this directly influences your energy bill. The energy use of your TV is influenced by three main factors.
Screen size.
The bigger the screen, the more energy it needs. According to Which?2, a 40–43 inch TV (the most common size in the UK) costs around £22.29 a year to run. Step up to a 65 inch screen, and you’re looking at roughly £34.82 a year. That’s more than £10 extra on your energy bill.
Screen type.
Different technologies use slightly different amounts of power. For example, QLEDs can use a bit less than OLEDs or traditional LEDs. Which? puts the saving between £3 and £7 a year. Not a life-changing sum, but worth thinking about when choosing your next model.
How much you watch.
More hours means more watts, and that means more pounds and pence on your bill.
Vampire devices.
But here’s the plot twist: TVs don’t just use electricity when they’re switched on. Many still sip power while on standby, making them one of several so-called “vampire devices” in your home. Some modern sets don’t even have an off button, so the safest bet is to switch off at the plug.
To see how these costs are worked out per unit of energy, have a look at our guide on electricity kWh rates and pricing.
Advice for buying a new TV and energy rating.
Every new TV comes with an appliance rating sticker. This runs from A (most efficient) down to G (least efficient). Older models may show A+, A++ or even A+++, but these were phased out in 2021 to make the system clearer.
That means many TVs that were once proudly A-rated might now show up as E or F. Confusing? A little. Helpful in the long run? Definitely.
One important thing to know: TVs are rated against others of the same size. So an A-rated 65 inch TV will still use more energy than a C-rated 40 inch. But all else equal, going for a higher-rated set should save you money over its lifetime.
Want to know more? Compare our electricity prices to see how else you can save.
How much does the TV cost when it is on standby power?
Ah, standby power. It's the silent energy thief. You might hear standby power called a few different things: standby electricity, phantom load, or vampire power.
Whatever you call it, it’s the low level of electricity that appliances use even when they are ‘off’ or, in this case, on standby. Why does your TV need this? It’s all about convenience. It allows your TV to perform a few tasks:
Quick start: Turning on instantly with the press of a remote button.
Sensors: Listening for the remote control signal.
Updates: Downloading software and system updates overnight.
While the consumption of a modern TV on standby is relatively low, (typically only 1-3 watts) it can be higher for older models or those with features like a permanent network connection. The problem isn’t one TV, it’s the way all your standby electricity adds up across multiple devices, from games consoles and speakers to smart hubs and phone chargers. A watt here and a watt there, and before you know it, you're paying for electricity you're not even using.
How to reduce TV energy use.
You don’t need to splash out on a brand new television to reduce energy use and save money. We’ve got some great everyday energy tips to help improve your energy efficiency without sacrificing your screen time.
Switch off at the plug.
Your TV may still use energy in standby mode. Cutting the power at the wall avoids that waste.
Tweak the brightness.
A brighter screen uses more power. Dial it down a notch, or try the TV’s built-in Energy Saving Mode.
Try smart plugs.
Smart plugs sit between your TV and the socket, letting you cut power remotely from an app. Handy if your TV’s tucked away.
Watch together.
Many homes have more than one TV running at once. Sharing the screen not only saves power but can also bring everyone together for a bit of quality time.
Is it cheaper to watch on your smartphone?
With online video content rising in popularity, many of us are used to watching on our tablets and smartphones. So, it may be a nice surprise to know that watching on your phone instead of your TV saves energy and money3. The logic is simple: a small screen requires far less power than a big one.
Instead of fighting over the remote and watching your favourite shows on different TVs, try rethinking your viewing habits. Save the big screen for shared family time and watch solo content on a smaller, more energy efficient device.
Appliances on standby, and time of use tariffs.
It’s not just televisions. Games consoles, set-top boxes, smart speakers, they can all quietly draw electricity while waiting in standby.
One way to stay in control is with the right energy tariff. A tariff is simply the pricing plan that sets your unit rate and standing charge. Some, like time of use tariffs, give cheaper rates at off-peak times. For example, our Next Smart Saver offers lower prices between 5am–4pm, 7pm–2am, and super off-peak between 2am–5am, compared with peak hours of 4pm–7pm.
That means if you’re flexible about when you stream, game, or binge watch, you could line up your viewing habits with cheaper hours.
For a deeper dive, see our guide on time of use tariffs.
Energy efficiency advice for your home.
Ready to get energy smart? This video is full of useful tips for more efficient energy use in your home.
From smart meters to draft excluders, there are plenty of simple measures we can take to make the most of our home energy.
Your next steps to smart saving.
So, we’ve tuned into how much a television costs to run, and discovered it depends on size, screen type, and how much you watch.
But whether you’re choosing a new model, cutting standby power, or rethinking how many screens you use at once, there are simple ways to bring down the cost. And don’t forget, your tariff makes a difference too.
Explore all E.ON Next tariffs today.
Find out more about the Next Smart Saver tariff.
If you’re worried about your bills, we're always here to help. Reach out to our Energy Specialists through WhatsApp. We also have useful help and support guides, including guidance if you’re struggling to pay.
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