Energy Efficiency Minister Lord Whitty
launched a new Web site Monday that aims to help
consumers make decisions about which products are the
most energy efficient.
The site also contains a
wealth of information for retail buyers and other
business users.
The new site, which can be reached at
www.mtprog.com,
comes from the DETR’s Market Transformation Programme
(MTP). Research into which TVs, VCRs and other products
are most energy efficient has been conducted using
methods developed in conjunction with the Consumers
Association.
“Consumers want exciting new digital electronic services
in their homes – and the Government wants to help that
happen – but without a hidden environmental price
tag,” Lord Whitty told the Consumer Electronic Conference.
“TVs, VCRs and all the other electronic products are
using increasingly efficient technologies. But it is
the sheer numbers of these products in our homes,
especially those left on stand-by, which is causing
concern. Current projections for this market sector
suggest that energy consumption could increase by
70 per cent by 2010 and double by the year 2015.”
With over 40 per cent of the UK’s population
expected to add digital television to their
homes by the end of 2002, energy efficiency is
becoming a major issue. The new site will
help people save money on their electricity bills
by choosing the most energy efficient products.
The DETR’s Market Transformation Programme is
managed by ETSU, part of
AEA Technology Environment.