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New EU energy rules for TVs and other household gadgets | New EU energy rules for TVs and other household gadgets |
(1 day later) | |
European Union rules will oblige new networked devices such as modems and internet-connected televisions to switch themselves off when not in use. | European Union rules will oblige new networked devices such as modems and internet-connected televisions to switch themselves off when not in use. |
Many gadgets are connected to the internet 24/7, using 25-100 watts while their owners sleep. | Many gadgets are connected to the internet 24/7, using 25-100 watts while their owners sleep. |
But new devices sold from Thursday will fall to sleep, using a trickle of power when they are not in use. | But new devices sold from Thursday will fall to sleep, using a trickle of power when they are not in use. |
The European Commission said the move would save an average household about £32 a year. | The European Commission said the move would save an average household about £32 a year. |
The change is part of the EU's Ecodesign initiative, which aims to cut costs, improve competitiveness and reduce carbon emissions. | The change is part of the EU's Ecodesign initiative, which aims to cut costs, improve competitiveness and reduce carbon emissions. |
Energy labels on online products will also be improved, while gas ovens will have to display energy ratings. | Energy labels on online products will also be improved, while gas ovens will have to display energy ratings. |
The Commission said the best gas oven would typically save £143 over its lifetime compared with the worst. | The Commission said the best gas oven would typically save £143 over its lifetime compared with the worst. |
Critics argue that such regulations - which recently included banning the sale of popular high-wattage vacuum cleaners - are denying consumer choice. | Critics argue that such regulations - which recently included banning the sale of popular high-wattage vacuum cleaners - are denying consumer choice. |
Energy experts have told the BBC that manufacturers deliberately increased the wattage of some vacuum cleaners to make them appear more attractive to consumers - even though the machines produced more heat and noise, rather than more suction. | |
Coffee machines | Coffee machines |
The UK technology guru James Dyson backed the efficiency regulations in principle and said many vacuum cleaners could use less power without compromising their ability to clean. | The UK technology guru James Dyson backed the efficiency regulations in principle and said many vacuum cleaners could use less power without compromising their ability to clean. |
But he said some manufacturers had conspired to skew EU efficiency tests to their own advantage. | But he said some manufacturers had conspired to skew EU efficiency tests to their own advantage. |
The new EU rules even extend to the coffee machine. Drip filter machines with non-insulated jugs must power down 40 minutes after the end of the last brewing cycle. | The new EU rules even extend to the coffee machine. Drip filter machines with non-insulated jugs must power down 40 minutes after the end of the last brewing cycle. |
Domestic drip-filter coffee machines with insulated jugs - which keep the coffee warm and preserve its taste without further heating - must switch off after five minutes. | Domestic drip-filter coffee machines with insulated jugs - which keep the coffee warm and preserve its taste without further heating - must switch off after five minutes. |
Coffee drinkers may be alarmed by the changes, but the Commission claims consumers will not even notice, as coffee in drip-filter machines without an insulated jug is undrinkable after 40 minutes anyway. | Coffee drinkers may be alarmed by the changes, but the Commission claims consumers will not even notice, as coffee in drip-filter machines without an insulated jug is undrinkable after 40 minutes anyway. |
The Commission says its measures on stand-by devices will reduce energy consumption by almost 75 terawatt-hours (TWh) without affecting product performance. | The Commission says its measures on stand-by devices will reduce energy consumption by almost 75 terawatt-hours (TWh) without affecting product performance. |
This will reduce CO2 emissions by 28 million tons, equivalent to the annual emissions of 1.5 million households. | This will reduce CO2 emissions by 28 million tons, equivalent to the annual emissions of 1.5 million households. |
An analysis for BBC last month estimated that the efficiency rules have reduced the average individual's electricity consumption by 10% over five years. | An analysis for BBC last month estimated that the efficiency rules have reduced the average individual's electricity consumption by 10% over five years. |
Manufacturers who do not comply with the new rules will be judged by member states. | Manufacturers who do not comply with the new rules will be judged by member states. |
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