New EU energy rules for household gadgets

[Still Waters]

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.

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.

http://www.bbc.co.uk...siness-30643357

[keithisco]

I hope the EU also factored in the additional costs of manufacture that intelligent switching requires

[Oxo1]

Not a bad idea actually, a lot of electricity must be wasted by these electronic devices when they are not in use, such as TV's left in standby and modems running all the time.

[danielost]

how does a tv know if your using it. what do you have to do change channels ever so often.

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

how does a tv know if your using it. what do you have to do change channels ever so often.

Probably have a timer pop up every hour or so all you have to do is dismiss it other wise it'll turn the TV off.

[+OverSword]

I hope the EU also factored in the additional costs of manufacture that intelligent switching requires

You can bet the person that wrote the legislation has an in-law that holds large shares in companies that manufacture such devices.

If this is such a great idea companies should manufacture them and market them with the message that they can save you X amount of euros per year no "the govt is your mommy so do as it says' necessary. I hate this kind of legislature. A few years ago Americans were legislated into buying light bulbs that will kill you due to elements in the dust created if they break. I wonder who's brother in-law got rich off of that one?

Gee, I wonder why this kind of thing makes me mad?

Edited January 2, 2015 by OverSword

[SHaYap]

Why don;t they come out outright and say its a tax ?

Rules ? What is this ? Monopoly ? errr .... quite right it is ~

[Ealdwita]

Probably have a timer pop up every hour or so all you have to do is dismiss it other wise it'll turn the TV off.

My current TV, which I've had for just over a year, does just that.... after about 3 hours.....and, as you say, you have to dismiss a notification on the screen to continue viewing.

But, as our colonial friends say......."Do the math"...........In the UK, an item left on standby uses 1 watt an hour (provided it is brand new and adheres to the new 1 watt legislation), then it uses 1kWh for every 1000 hours it is on. There are 8760 hours in a year, so it will use 8.76kWh in a year. Currently 1kWh from one of the big 6-energy company costs a maximum of 14 pence, so over a year that will cost £1.23 for an entire year. This is halved from January 2013, so will be 60p for a whole year. Nothing to get excited about, is it?

[Guest Br Cornelius]

You can bet the person that wrote the legislation has an in-law that holds large shares in companies that manufacture such devices.

If this is such a great idea companies should manufacture them and market them with the message that they can save you X amount of euros per year no "the govt is your mommy so do as it says' necessary. I hate this kind of legislature. A few years ago Americans were legislated into buying light bulbs that will kill you due to elements in the dust created if they break. I wonder who's brother in-law got rich off of that one?

Gee, I wonder why this kind of thing makes me mad?

This technology has been available at minimal cost for decades - but manfacturers haven't adopted it. It therefore requires legislation to force the issue. It may cost a few more Euro's to buy the product but the saving will be made in months out of the lifetime of a product of years.

This is exactly why we have governments who enact legislation for the greater good rather than leaving it to businesses to do the right thing. However as eldwita has pointed out - this is just becoming a standard feature in almost all new products.

On the individual level it makes only a small finacial difference, but all of those differences mean that the grid as a whole is less stressed and it is absolutely this sort of small incremental change which will help to meet our energy conservation targets and avoid climate change.

Br Cornelius

Edited January 2, 2015 by Br Cornelius

[toast]

Just some math here with the figures from the BBC article and the approximately number of households within the EU (200M).

Taking the cost for energy absorbed by standby devices per household of 41EUR/50USD per year is in ttl 8,2B EUR/10B USD

per year and taken from the hard earned money from the individuals for nothing and just to the benefit of the oil lords in the ME

and to the benefit of the shareholders of EON and friends who would like to thank us all for our patience and constancy as well.

Taking the 75TW/year value of absorbed energy by standby devices and an average power generation value of a nuclear power

plant per year of 10TW, there are 7,5 nuclear power plants in operation within the EU just for nothing. In addition, as each nuclear

power plant produces thousands of tons of radioactive waste during its time of operation and at the time of removal as well, thousands

of tons of radioactive waste have to be stored and monitored for >50 generations with still unknown costs yet but these costs will

increase energy costs in the future in addition.

There is no room to criticize the EU for the decisions taken but there is room to criticize them for the fact that this has been taken

so long and that peanut issues like banana curve laws had have a higher priority than regulations that make a lot more sense.

Looking back at the oil crisis in 1973, the automobile industry had been forced by the markets to develope car engines that had to

be more energy effective than before. And now its time to force the industry to make electro devices more effective as the customers

for electro devices with standby function like TVs do focus more on other features than on standby energy consumtion values.

Edited January 2, 2015 by toast

[questionmark]

There is no room to criticize the EU for the decisions taken but there is room to criticize them for the fact that this has been taken

so long and that peanut issues like banana curve laws had have a higher priority than regulations that make a lot more sense.

Looking back at the oil crisis in 1973, the automobile industry had been forced by the markets to develope car engines that had to

be more energy effective than before. And now its time to force the industry to make electro devices more effective as the customers

for electro devices with standby function like TVs do focus more on other features than on standby energy consumtion values.

Those were not peanut issues for the trade, they lobbied long and hard to get those laws passed.

[danielost]

electronic devices such as tvs or computers. are really on standby when they are turned off. that is why there is a warning on the back of a tv, electracution hazard even if tv is unplugged. a computer battery isn't strong enough to hurt you, but you can destroy a computer if your not careful.

[stevewinn]

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.

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.

http://www.bbc.co.uk...siness-30643357

According to my Tax breakdown from the inland revenue, £166 of my tax went to EU membership. i'd rather we left and instead of saving £1.20 thanks to their legislation on electrical devices. i'd save £166 pound.

I have a Samsung TV which you can set in the menu energy saving features, such as turning off if not in use. i think two hours in the minimum, on my playstation4 its set to 20 minutes, i think the sky box is two hours, so these devices do employ this tech. But you have to love the EU, I've said it before they are fast approaching the old soviet model, where one day we'll reach the position of everything is banned unless the EU say otherwise. The EU are in crisis, but is anyone surprised when they concerned themselves with the misshapen of fruit and vegetables. that is one example but it shows you the lengths they've sunk to.

Rome burns but as long as the carrot isnt wonky all is well.

Its might shock a few people, but i hate the EU with a passion. who'd have thought it.

I hope the EU also factored in the additional costs of manufacture that intelligent switching requires

You can bet the person that wrote the legislation has an in-law that holds large shares in companies that manufacture such devices.

If this is such a great idea companies should manufacture them and market them with the message that they can save you X amount of euros per year no "the govt is your mommy so do as it says' necessary. I hate this kind of legislature. A few years ago Americans were legislated into buying light bulbs that will kill you due to elements in the dust created if they break. I wonder who's brother in-law got rich off of that one?

Gee, I wonder why this kind of thing makes me mad?

It'll be like the light bulb fiasco. With these new energy saving bulbs, you scratch the surface and see those who had a vested interest. especially when these bulbs certified where made in Europe and Europe only.

On the subject of these "energy saving bulbs. I've seen no evidence in our house in real life testing, that they last longer than the classic incandescent bulb and its not like were using mickey mouse ones. there made by Philips - and in the real world how many people dispose of these new bulbs in the correct manner or just throw them in the house hold bin.

Personally i keep ahold of them until im visiting the local recycling centre/tip where they have some big green container plastered with warning and health signs. akin to Chernobyl. - how much does it cost in money and energy to correctly dispose of these bulbs according to the legislation - for starters i have drive the batmoblie to the recycling centre which is 12 miles away. (the only place which takes them) so there's Co2 burned right there. so how much energy are they really saving in reality, not on paper but reality? minuscule is my guess.

Edited January 2, 2015 by stevewinn

[+OverSword]

This is exactly why we have governments who enact legislation for the greater good rather than leaving it to businesses to do the right thing.

Is that why? I thought governments purpose was to ensure our God given rights. Perhaps that's not true in the Godless EU.

As I stated above, if the savings in money and energy is such a great thing then it should be an excellent selling point and the manufacturer that wants to outsell their competitors will implement these features and advertise how great it is for your pocketbook and for the environment. No excess legislation required.

[SHaYap]

And don't forget , for every Kw they save there's another hundred electrical appliance sold ~ the maths ain't going to take anyone to places not seen ~

[danielost]

According to my Tax breakdown from the inland revenue, £166 of my tax went to EU membership. i'd rather we left and instead of saving £1.20 thanks to their legislation on electrical devices. i'd save £166 pound.

I have a Samsung TV which you can set in the menu energy saving features, such as turning off if not in use. i think two hours in the minimum, on my playstation4 its set to 20 minutes, i think the sky box is two hours, so these devices do employ this tech. But you have to love the EU, I've said it before they are fast approaching the old soviet model, where one day we'll reach the position of everything is banned unless the EU say otherwise. The EU are in crisis, but is anyone surprised when they concerned themselves with the misshapen of fruit and vegetables. that is one example but it shows you the lengths they've sunk to.

Rome burns but as long as the carrot isnt wonky all is well.

Its might shock a few people, but i hate the EU with a passion. who'd have thought it.

It'll be like the light bulb fiasco. With these new energy saving bulbs, you scratch the surface and see those who had a vested interest. especially when these bulbs certified where made in Europe and Europe only.

On the subject of these "energy saving bulbs. I've seen no evidence in our house in real life testing, that they last longer than the classic incandescent bulb and its not like were using mickey mouse ones. there made by Philips - and in the real world how many people dispose of these new bulbs in the correct manner or just throw them in the house hold bin.

Personally i keep ahold of them until im visiting the local recycling centre/tip where they have some big green container plastered with warning and health signs. akin to Chernobyl. - how much does it cost in money and energy to correctly dispose of these bulbs according to the legislation - for starters i have drive the batmoblie to the recycling centre which is 12 miles away. (the only place which takes them) so there's Co2 burned right there. so how much energy are they really saving in reality, not on paper but reality? minuscule is my guess.

but, they burn longer, thus less electricity is needed to light them. thus your not burning as much coal to light them. listen to your government they know best about everything. you don't have to think letbthe government do your thinking for you. let's put poison in our drinking water and say it is good for you.

[Guest Br Cornelius]

Is that why? I thought governments purpose was to ensure our God given rights. Perhaps that's not true in the Godless EU.

As I stated above, if the savings in money and energy is such a great thing then it should be an excellent selling point and the manufacturer that wants to outsell their competitors will implement these features and advertise how great it is for your pocketbook and for the environment. No excess legislation required.

Thats a very narrow and ideological view of the role of Government. Not one that would bare much indepth scrutiny since all rights are partial and contingent on other peoples rights. You do not have a right to pollute your neighbour because there are more than one persons rights involved.

Most people don't actually give a **** - its not the top (or even the last) on their wish list when choosing Tech. I would buy based on energy saving features but I am exceptional in this regard. Most people would pocket the saving of not having it and not realise that there is no real saving. Hence people still hang onto their old tech tungsten filamanent and halogen lightbulbs even though it costs them dearly in the long run.

Ideological dogmatism will take you to strange places.

PS - The US is a secular nation to, so I find your Godless jibe a little difficult to understand. God doesn't come into Government in the US or the EU, you seem to be ill informed.

Br Cornelius

Edited January 2, 2015 by Br Cornelius

[danielost]

Thats a very narrow and ideological view of the role of Government. Not one that would bare much indepth scrutiny since all rights are partial and contingent on other peoples rights. You do not have a right to pollute your neighbour because there are more than one persons rights involved.

Most people don't actually give a **** - its not the top (or even the last) on their wish list when choosing Tech. I would buy based on energy saving features but I am exceptional in this regard. Most people would pocket the saving of not having it and not realise that there is no real saving. Hence people still hang onto their old tech tungsten filamanent and halogen lightbulbs even though it costs them dearly in the long run.

Ideological dogmatism will take you to strange places.

PS - The US is a secular nation to, so I find your Godless jibe a little difficult to understand. God doesn't come into Government in the US or the EU, you seem to be ill informed.

Br Cornelius

the us senate and congress pray for guidance ever day they are in their seats. so the usa is not secular.

[Guest Br Cornelius]

It'll be like the light bulb fiasco. With these new energy saving bulbs, you scratch the surface and see those who had a vested interest. especially when these bulbs certified where made in Europe and Europe only.

On the subject of these "energy saving bulbs. I've seen no evidence in our house in real life testing, that they last longer than the classic incandescent bulb and its not like were using mickey mouse ones. there made by Philips - and in the real world how many people dispose of these new bulbs in the correct manner or just throw them in the house hold bin.

Personally i keep ahold of them until im visiting the local recycling centre/tip where they have some big green container plastered with warning and health signs. akin to Chernobyl. - how much does it cost in money and energy to correctly dispose of these bulbs according to the legislation - for starters i have drive the batmoblie to the recycling centre which is 12 miles away. (the only place which takes them) so there's Co2 burned right there. so how much energy are they really saving in reality, not on paper but reality? minuscule is my guess.

My first generation CFL light bulbs lasted between 7-10 years of fairly constant use. Every single one since then has given about 3years service. Either way they still work out as a considerable saving in energy and resources. the problem withe the newer ones is one of line voltage, unfortunately the UK has a line voltage of about 230-240 - where as the continent has one of about 210-230V. This is significant and will burn out tech much quicker, if we still had our own light bulb building infrastructure reliability would be higher.

Almostr all the resource's that go into a CFL can be recovered easily in specialist plants - which is where your recycling facility comes in. This means that they both last longer, reducing resource input, and go back into making more CFL's further reducing resource input.

However the whole CFL issue was a transition one which has all but disappeared at this stage. We have replaced most of ours (as they burnt out) with LED's which are even more energy efficient and resource conserving. I estimate that we have saved hundreds of Euros by replacing our halogen spots and somewhat less by running these over equivilant incandescents. The savings are more than significant within our yearly budget.

Br Cornelius

[Guest Br Cornelius]

the us senate and congress pray for guidance ever day they are in their seats. so the usa is not secular.

There is seperation of Government and Religion and no one is compelled to pray to an imaginary person for guidance.

Br Cornelius

[danielost]

There is seperation of Government and Religion and no one is compelled to pray to an imaginary person for guidance.

Br Cornelius

as i said they pray everyday that they are working. of course they have guest priest from different religions say the prayer.

Edited January 2, 2015 by danielost

[+OverSword]

I would buy based on energy saving features but I am exceptional in this regard.

You're not exceptional in the USA because I don't own one appliance, including televisions, stereos or computers that do not have this feature. As a matter of fact I'm quite sure products with the energy star compliant sticker outsell the non-eco friendly version by a very large margin.

[Guest Br Cornelius]

You're not exceptional in the USA because I don't own one appliance, including televisions, stereos or computers that do not have this feature. As a matter of fact I'm quite sure products with the energy star compliant sticker outsell the non-eco friendly version by a very large margin.

Legislation means that finding none Eco-complient (energy star) appliances is becoming all but impossible - you can thank regulations for that

Br Cornelius

[Michelle]

You're not exceptional in the USA because I don't own one appliance, including televisions, stereos or computers that do not have this feature. As a matter of fact I'm quite sure products with the energy star compliant sticker outsell the non-eco friendly version by a very large margin.

This is true. There is a huge green movement in the US and I know very few people who don't go for energy efficiency when buying new appliances.

[+OverSword]

Legislation means that finding none Eco-complient (energy star) appliances is becoming all but impossible - you can thank regulations for that

Br Cornelius

Here it is a tax write-off for home owners to have energy star compliant appliances