Energy-guzzling plasma TVs will be banned in Brussels eco blitz
The plasma screen television is poised to become the next victim of the battle to curb energy use.
Giant energy-guzzling flatscreens are expected to be banned under legislation due to be agreed by the EU this spring.
Plasma
screens have been nicknamed the '4x4s' of the living room because they
use up to four times as much electricity and are responsible for up to
four times as much carbon dioxide as traditional cathode ray tube sets.
Next victim? Plasma screen TV could be next in the battle to curb energy use
The
most energy intensive will be phased out under the new EU standards for
minimum energy performance, which will follow the voluntary withdrawal
of the traditional 100watt light bulb.
The remaining TVs of all
types will have to carry energy rating labels designed to make it easy
to distinguish between the best and worst performers.
LCD flat screen TVs are much more energy efficient than their plasma cousins so are unlikely to be banned.
A 42in LCD TV uses similar amounts of energy to a much smaller traditional set.
A
spokesman for the Department-for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
said the plasma TV would not be banned completely, with eco-friendly
sets remaining on the market.
Popular buy: Plasma TVs are commonplace in Britain
The moves are part of an effort to tackle climate change by stemming the spiralling electricity consumption in households.
It involves phasing out wasteful devices and introducing low-energy alternatives.
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.
Today Britain has 60million television sets - one for every person in the country.
Plasma screens, which are common in pubs and supermarkets, as well as in homes, are among the most popular buys.
A
Defra spokesman said that in the past five years the main TV in many
households has changed from being a 24-32in cathode ray model to a
32-42 flatscreen TV.