Energy News

Plasma TVs to be banned in Britain

Tuesday 13 January, 2009

By becca.talbot@consumerchoices.co.uk

Inefficient plasma televisions will soon be banned in Britain in an effort to battle climate change, according to government officials.

Energy-guzzling plasma screens are expected to be banned under legislation due to be agreed by the EU this spring.

A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said the plasma TV would not be banned completely, with eco-friendly sets remaining on the market.

Television sets that use the most energy will be phased out under the new EU standards for minimum energy performance, following the withdrawal of the 100W incandescent bulb, as part of an effort to remove inefficient devices in the home.

By law, any TV sold on the market will have to carry an energy rating label, designed to make it easier for consumers to distinguish between the best and least efficient products.

The move is part of an EU initiative to tackle climate change by curbing electricity consumption in households.

According to figures from the Energy Saving Trust, a 42 inch plasma television uses 822 kilowatt hours per year, compared to a 42 inch LCD flatscreen which uses 350 kilowatt hours during the same period. The largest available CRT television (32 inch) uses only 322 kilowatt hours in a year.

A DEFRA spokesman said that over the last five years the main television in many households has changed from being a 24-32 inch cathode ray model to a 32-42 inch flatscreen.

Chris Eagle, commercial manager at EnergyChoices.co.uk said: “Families have nearly three times as many electrical appliances and gadgets as a generation ago and the amount of electricity used to power them has doubled. To find out more about energy saving measures you can implement in your home, download our free guide to energy efficiency.”

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