Finally someone practicing what they preach! Enough energy to power 864,000 homes will be saved in the next decade by California being the first state to ban energy sapping TV’s.

After a unanimous vote all TV sets sold from 2011 will have to use 33% less energy than current TV sets do. That’s not all, sets from 2013 will have to use 50% less energy. It could force some huge sets off the scene altogether but it will save 10% of home electric bills giving Californian residents an extra $8 billion to spend on more worthwhile plans in the next ten years. While some of the bigger super-energy efficient are pricier, buyers will save in the long run.

This is revolutionary for the TV industry as due to the vast population of the TV-loving state it will have a huge effect on catering for consumers and an estimated three million tons of carbon dioxide emissions will be saved in the next decade.

The Chairman of the Californian Energy Commission Karen Douglas is reported to have said ‘This is a consumer-protection measure, this is a measure that will protect the environment, and the benefits to Californians will begin to be felt almost immediately.’

Energy Commissioner Julia Levin has said ‘It will save consumers money, it will help protect public health, and it will spark innovation.’ She also said ‘We have every confidence this industry will be able to meet the rule and then some.’

Inevitably some TV companies objected saying the new laws were costly and unnecessary but the recent surge in popularity for enormous flat-screen TV’s. On average they use up 40% more energy than old-school CRT sets.