BOX SET BINGERS: AVERAGE WELSH HOME WATCHES UP TO SIX EPISODES IN A ROW

• Eight in ten TV viewers admit to binge-watching box sets
• Friends tops the list of the most binge-watched shows
• Households using 15p of energy on the average binge

British Gas has published new research which reveals Wales is a nation of box set bingers. Over 80 per cent of the population admitted to regularly watching more than one episode in a row. The study, released to mark the launch of Game of Thrones Season 6, examined how much energy Wales is spending on this modern cultural phenomenon. It found that the average amount of binge-watching has reached six episodes back-to-back.

British Gas smart meter data shows that in 2015 entertainment energy usage in the UK was at an annual high in April last year, coinciding with the release of Game of Thrones Season 5, as the nation powered up TVs, laptops and tablets to follow the latest instalment from Jon Snow and friends. Smart meters come with a smart energy monitor, which gives households a better understanding of their energy use by showing them exactly what energy they are using on entertainment devices.

Nineties favourite Friends is followed by The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones as the top three series most likely to make compulsive viewers watch more than one episode in a row. Luckily for fans, Friends has fewer episodes and only uses £2.22 worth of energy, compared to £6.30 for those wanting indulge in The Simpsons extensive back catalogue.

Most popular box sets and associated energy costs

The findings are corroborated by the British Gas Home Energy Report, collated by the Centre for Economic and Business Research (Cebr), which shows that energy usage on TVs has gone up by 19% since the 1990s. DVD usage has also risen by 6%, demonstrating the nation’s increasing consumption of entertainment content.

Sushil Umrao, Smart Energy Expert at British Gas commented: “There are some simple ways to be smart with your energy use when it comes to a marathon TV session. When you’re settling down to enjoy series, make sure you don’t leave multiple appliances running around the home while you won’t be using them. And, when you’re finished, don’t forget to switch the telly off, rather than leave it on standby!

“The great thing about having a smart meter is that you can see how much electricity you’re using throughout the day, which helps you take control and keep on top of what you’re using your energy for. Finally, when choosing a TV, it is also worth looking for models which have an energy efficient label.”

Seven in 10 people admit that the reason they watch more than one episode is because it’s addictive, with nearly a quarter stating it’s their favourite thing to do. Fear of missing out also causes box-set bingeing for nearly one in five people, while one in ten does it to please their partner or friends.

The research was conducted by British Gas to raise awareness of how people can use smart meters to monitor and be smarter with their energy use. Smart meters replace existing standard gas and electricity meters. Customers are given a smart energy monitor that shows how much gas and electricity is being used, and its cost in pounds and pence. Meter reads are submitted automatically to British Gas, putting an end to estimated bills and customers having to submit meter readings.

For more information on smart meters and energy saving tips, visit:www.britishgas.co.uk/smart