Europe Banning Plasma TV's

Members of the European Union have finalized provisions of a minimum energy performance standard for televisions. On average, plasma televisions burn 50% more energy than their LCD counterparts. Because of their appetite for energy, the larger size plasma TV's will probably be banned under the new EU television standard.

In addition to banning large plasma TV's, the new EU rules will also phase-out inefficient TV models and will create a labeling system that tells consumers which TV's are the most energy efficient.

A similar television energy standard has been proposed in the United States but momentum for new rules fizzled out. The only progress made at the federal level is the inclusion of televisions in the Energy Star program beginning last November. Energy Star is a voluntary program for manufacturers whose products exceed minimum efficiency standards by some amount. Televisions with the Energy Star label have already reached store shelves.

In 2007, the federal Energy Bill required that televisions be included in the Energy Guide program. This program provides information to consumers about how much electricity the product use annually and how much operating costs will be over the lifetime of the product. Unfortunately, including televisions has been difficult because the Department of Energy hasn't provided the necessary testing methods.

As usual, states are picking up where the federal government has failed to act. California's Energy Commission is currently creating a new television energy standard that would require all new TV's use 50% less energy by 2013. The proposed standard would save the state 600 megawatts, the amount of energy generated by a large power plant.

To read more about new TV energy standards, click HERE.