Vol. 525 No. 2
270 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has any information with regard to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted due to appliances, such as televisions, videos and other electrical devices, being left on by way of the standby button; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23968/00]
Standby losses occur in numerous places throughout the home. The most readily recognisable losses are associated with televisions, videos and compact audio. Losses also occur with computers, printers, faxes, telephones, door bells, set top boxes for satellite television, clocks and lights on other appliances, etc. The Irish Energy Centre has estimated that up to 235,000 tonnes of CO2 could be emitted in Ireland due to standby losses.
Numerous studies have been carried out in Europe which have looked at the scope for reducing these losses. The results of these studies are being used by the European Commission in negotiations with manufacturers of brown goods and power suppliers on voluntary agreements to reduce these losses. Very major improvements in this area can be expected in the next few years. Work is also commencing on bringing televisions into the EU energy labelling scheme.
