Plasma TVs have been banned in the UK as per the new EU (European Union) regulations. The simple reason for this ban is that flat screen Plasma TVs consume 4 times more energy and also produce 4 times more carbon emissions, when compared to other panels. A 42 inches widescreen Plasma TV consumes 822 KWH electricity, on an average, per year. Comparatively, a 42 inches LCD TV consumes only 350 KWH and a 42 inches CRT TV consumes 322 KWH. Consequently, an energy efficiency drive being followed in the UK, favours LCD screens that consume lesser energy and leave lesser carbon emissions.
Minimum energy performance levels and standards have been agreed upon by the EU and have been implemented across Europe, leading to the phasing out of flat panel Plasma TVs. Under this, a detailed labelling system containing the energy usage details of each device has been implemented. In fact, this labelling system will help consumers in selecting energy efficient products. As per a study, the average UK household has a television in the size range of 32 inches to 42 inches, thus resulting in increased power consumption. Ultimately, in the battle for a Greener Britain, Plasma TVs are facing a ban.
Ministers in the UK have welcomed this ban, stating that this helps climate change policies and goes a long way in preventing global warming and the residue of lesser carbon foot prints. In fact, flat screen Plasma TVs have been termed as energy guzzlers. And, if we look at the global scenario, United States, Australia and China, the major users of wide screen Plasma TVs, have already received the warning signals from the UK Plasma TV ban. However, there is also some good news. Manufacturers, the world over, are responding quite superbly by churning out more and more greener products towards a greener earth. And to top it all, with the exception of Panasonic, all other major Plasma TV manufacturers have, more or less, withdrawn from the Plasma TV race with Samsung and LG having their focus on LCD TVs and LED TVs in 2010 and Pioneer having stopped the famous Plasma KURO.
