Eight of the UK’s leading retailers have agreed to take the least energy efficient TVs off the shelves as part of a new voluntary scheme.

The scheme, which has been launched by the Energy Saving Trust and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), is encouraging retailers to meet new EU minimum efficiency standards for appliances ahead of schedule.

Best Buy UK, Comet, Co-operative Electrical, Currys and PC World (DSGi), John Lewis, Argos (Home Retail Group), Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s have all signed up to scheme.

“I’m pleased that so many of our leading electrical stores have made this commitment to remove the least energy efficient TVs from their shelves,” says Environment Minister Dan Norris.

Buying an Energy Saving Recommended 42” LCD TV instead of the worst performing model could save around £42 per year on electricity costs, says the Energy Saving Trust. Over the typical eight-year lifetime of a TV, this means a saving of around £340 and over a tonne of CO₂.

According to the Energy Saving Trust’s figures, an average 32” TV costs more to run than a fridge-freezer and makes up around 7.5% of the average domestic electricity bill.

Defra and the Energy Saving Trust are anticipating a surge in the purchase of new TVs in the run up to the World Cup this summer. In 2006, UK electrical retailers sold 1.4 million TVs in the three months prior to the event.

For further information:
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/esr
www.defra.gov.uk/

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EU reaches agreement on energy labelling (18-Nov 2009)
US raises the standard for energy efficient TVs (7-Sept 2009)