APPLIANCE RUNNING COSTS · OCT–DEC 2026
How much does a TV cost to run?
A TV’s energy label gives its power in standard viewing. Bigger screens and HDR content use more. At the GB average price-cap electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh for October–December 2026, a TV costs about 2.2p an hour at full power, or 8.8p for a typical 4-hour day.
PER HOUR
2.2pat 84 W, full powerPER DAY
8.8p0.34 kWh over 4 hoursPER WEEK
62p7 days a week (assumed)PER YEAR
£32123 kWh at the assumed useWork out your own cost
Choose your region or type in your own unit rate, then change the wattage and hours to match your appliance and how you use it. It starts with a week at our assumed use, averaged to hours a day.
2.4 kWh over 7 days · about £0.09 a day
How much electricity it uses
- Energy labels for LG’s UT73 LED TVs show 54 W (43-inch), 84 W (55-inch) and 110 W (65-inch) in standard dynamic range (SDR) viewing.
- HDR viewing uses more: 75 W, 110 W and 145 W for the same three sets. Standby is 0.5 W.
| Example | Rated power | Per hour | Per day | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower | 54 W | 1.4p | 5.7p | £21 |
| Typical | 84 W | 2.2p | 8.8p | £32 |
| Higher | 110 W | 2.9p | 12p | £42 |
Usage assumption: Four hours a day of standard (SDR) viewing. This is our illustration, not a measured average; change it in the calculator.
What drives the cost
- Screen size and technology.
- Picture mode and brightness: HDR and ‘vivid’ modes use more power.
- Hours of viewing.
How it compares
| Appliance | Typical use | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Television | 1 day, 4 hours | 0.34 kWh | 8.8p |
| Games console (PS5) | 1 session, 2 hours | 0.43 kWh | 11p |
| Electric fan | 1 day, 8 hours | 0.19 kWh | 5.1p |
Ways to spend less
- The Energy Saving Trust estimates that turning appliances off standby saves about £45 a year in Great Britain across a typical home.
Unit rates vary by region: this period they run from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. See every region’s rate →
Questions
How much does a TV cost to run per hour?
At 26.32p per kWh (the GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT), a TV rated at 84 W costs about 2.2p an hour at full power. Models from 54 W to 110 W cost 1.4p to 2.9p an hour.
How much does a TV cost to run a year?
It depends on how much you use it. Our assumption is four hours a day of standard (SDR) viewing. At 26.32p per kWh that comes to about £32 a year (123 kWh). Change the hours or uses in the calculator to match your own.
How much does it cost to leave a TV on standby?
Very little for a modern set: the TVs we cite use 0.5 W on standby, about 4.4 kWh a year if left on standby all year (0.5 W × 8,760 hours). Older sets and connected devices can use more.
Does the cost depend on where I live?
Yes, a little. Price-cap electricity unit rates for October–December 2026 range from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. Pick your region in the calculator, or enter the unit rate from your bill if you are on a fixed or time-of-use tariff.
About these figures
Running costs are energy used × unit rate. They exclude the daily standing charge, which you pay whether or not the appliance runs. Costs per hour assume the appliance draws its full rated power the whole time; many appliances cycle on and off, so real use is often lower. Power ratings and energy figures are examples from the sources below, not a measured UK average.
Other appliances
Sources
- EPREL record: LG 43UT73006LA television ↗43-inch: 54 W on-mode (SDR), 75 W (HDR), 0.5 W standby.
- EPREL record: LG 55UT73006LA television ↗55-inch: 84 W on-mode (SDR), 110 W (HDR).
- EPREL record: LG 65UT73006LA television ↗65-inch: 110 W on-mode (SDR), 145 W (HDR).
- Energy Saving Trust: quick tips to save energy at home ↗Savings tips for kettles, washing machines, dishwashers, drying and standby (page last updated 6 October 2026).
- Ofgem: energy price cap unit rates and standing charges ↗GB average electricity unit rate and VAT basis, October–December 2026.
Last updated 11 October 2026. Figures are dated benchmarks taken from the sources above. How we use sources →