Digital TV & energy consumption
There are some simple rules you can follow when buying and using TV equipment to help keep energy consumption down. You don't need a new television as all TVs can be converted to digital. When buying new equipment, look for the logos below.
The digital tick logo is a certification mark that can be found on products that are designed to continue working after switchover.
How to find energy efficient TV equipment
- The independent consumer organisation, Ricability, offers information on TV equipment that has been tested for energy efficiency.
- Alternatively, search for TV equipment by energy consumption on the digital logo website
- Make sure that the equipment you buy suits your needs
Green tips for using your equipment
Whether you have Freeview, cable or satellite services, putting your equipment on standby when you're not using it will help to save energy. Standby mode also allows equipment to receive any necessary updates overnight, or to record. Contact your digital TV provider for more information and advice on energy efficiency.
Recycling
You don't have to get new TV equipment for the switchover. Almost any TV can be converted to digital with a digital box. If you want to buy new equipment, please make sure you dispose of your old TVs and recorders responsibly. Old TVs and recorders may contain materials and chemicals that can harm the environment, including lead, dangerous phosphors and glass.
Dumping them on the street or putting them out with your general household rubbish means they end up in landfills where they are hazardous and will pollute the environment. To dispose of old equipment responsibly, see below.
To make sure your old equipment is properly recycled you can:
- Take it to a waste site that collects old TVs and recorders, known as a 'Designated Collection Facility'.
- Take it back to the electrical retailer you brought it from. When you buy a new electrical product on or after 1 July 2007, you should ask the shop how they are going to take back your old one. They have to do this for free when you make a like-for-like purchase (for example take back your old TV when you buy a new one), no matter where you brought the original product. Shops can take back goods in store or tell you where your nearest local drop off point is (for example, your council's waste or recycling site). If you have bought a new item the shop should allow you a reasonable period after you have brought it to return the old equipment it is replacing. Ask the shop if they provide a collection service and what it costs.
- If you are a Sky or Virgin Media subscriber replacing old equipment with new equipment, the Sky or Virgin Media engineer will take away your old kit for you free of charge.
- If you have old or redundant Sky equipment, go to www.sky.com/environment to find out how Sky will help you recycle if for free.
- If you have old Virgin Media equipment, the Virgin Media Collection Teams can pick-up and re-use or recycle your old equipment. Simply call the Virgin Media customer service team on 0845 840 7777.
Any of these methods will ensure that your equipment is disposed of safely.
