* Annual cost calculated using an electricity price of €0.1135/kWh (Luz Fija 24h Online tariff – May 2026).

The TV energy label: how to read it in 30 seconds

The energy label classifies different appliances according to their energy efficiency. Since 2021, the system has been adjusted to show clearer information. The three details it includes that you need to check are:

1. Energy class (A–G): the colour scale where A (green) is the most efficient and G (red) is the least.
2. Consumption in use (kWh/1000 h): indicates the energy demand for every 1,000 hours of use, distinguishing between standard dynamic range (SDR) and high dynamic range (HDR).
3. Estimated annual consumption: although the label highlights kWh/1000 h, the annual figure is calculated based on standard usage of 4 hours a day. The shop is obliged to display this information both in-store and online.

To delve deeper, you can learn more about how to read your TV's energy label in Endesa's detailed guide.

OLED vs. QLED vs. standard LED: the consumption difference they don't explain in the shop

The widespread use of LED in TVs offers significant savings, especially with ever-larger screens. The difference between the three types of screens lies in how they generate light:

• Standard LED: uses a backlight that stays on constantly.
• QLED: is essentially an LED enhanced with quantum dots for better colour and brightness.
• OLED: turns off dark pixels individually, eliminating consumption in those areas of the picture.

The key point is that an OLED's consumption depends radically on what you are watching. It is highly efficient for films with dark scenes, but can exceed the consumption of a QLED when viewing web pages or content with bright backgrounds.

On the other hand, we know that LED TVs consume 25% less than older LCDs, and up to 40% less than plasma TVs.

When does a more efficient TV pay for itself? The calculation nobody does

Many buyers doubt whether it is worth paying more for a TV with a better energy rating. By dividing the price difference between the two models by the annual saving on your bill, you will know how many years it will take to recoup the investment. That is:

Price difference between models / Annual savings on bill = Years to recoup cost

For example, if a Class B TV costs €30 more than a Class D model, but only saves 20 kWh a year (around €2.27), it will take you 13.2 years to make your money back.

This reveals that the financial savings alone rarely justify the extra cost. The real argument for choosing a model with a better energy label isn't the electricity bill, but what that rating indirectly indicates: greater durability, better visual comfort, and more refined technology that prevents unnecessary long-term costs.

The picture mode nobody uses that saves the most electricity

In shops, TVs are set to maximum brightness ('Vivid' mode) to grab the buyer's attention, which skyrockets consumption. When you get home, turning on 'Cinema' or 'Calibrated' mode reduces brightness by 30% to 50% with the exact same picture quality.

It is highly recommended to turn down the TV's brightness as soon as you get home, setting it to 60% or even half, to protect your eyes and noticeably reduce your bill.

What actually matters more than efficiency: room size, viewing distance, and HDR

Another practical formula to help you find your perfect TV to enjoy the great festival of football gives you the ideal screen size based on viewing distance:

Distance (cm) / 3.81 = Ideal size in inches