Regulators Plan On Placing Restrictions On The Amount Of Energy Needed To Run Televisions - KCOY Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo - News

Regulators Plan On Placing Restrictions On The Amount Of Energy Needed To Run Televisions

12/15/09

Regulators with the State of California have plans to place restrictions on the amount of energy needed to run flat-screen televisions.

Compared to old tube sets, the newer plasma and LCD versions can comprise up to ten percent of your electricity bill, but not all consumers are made aware of the difference. "I am shocked," said Sara Garcia who recently purchased a new 60-inch plasma TV. "I really didn't consider that at all.  I think we may use it less."

Workers at a home electronics store up in the Bay Area say the power hog status is becoming a question they often hear. "People are concerned about it," said Peter Straube. "Some people ask, and say how much does it use?"

Garcia says she is typically an energy conscious consumer, choosing products that meet the Energy Star standard. "I'm wondering if we should wait.  We still have it in the box," she said.

The New York Times reports that regulators in Europe are also working on rules to make the sets more energy efficient. 

At least for now however, they are nowhere near as strict as those proposed in California.