Energy-Intensive Gadgets threaten the Energy-Saving-Movement
The growing popularity of hi-tech devices, such as flat-screen TVs and digital radios, threaten to undermine efforts to save energy, a report says. UK consumers spend £12bn a year on electronics, much of which is less efficient than older technology, a study by the Energy Saving Trust found.
By 2020, the gadgets will account for about 45% of electricity used in UK households, the organisation projected.
It said flat-screen TVs and digital radios were among the worst offenders.
See how the energy costs of different TV types compare
Paula Owen, author of the report called The Ampere Strikes Back, said household appliances currently consumed about a third of an average home’s electricity. But she warned this was likely to increase as a result of people buying more energy-intensive devices.
“Your old-fashioned, bulky cathode ray tube TV on average consumed about 100 watts of electricity when it was switched on,” Dr Owen explained.
“What we are seeing now is a trend for much bigger flat-screened TVs. On average, we are seeing a three-fold increase in the energy needed to power these TVs.
“Pretty much in every other sector [such as fridges and washing machines], we find that as the technology moves on, the products get more and more efficient.
“Consumer electronics does not work like that.”
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