Calculate energy used (kilowatts) and greenhouse gas produced over the lifetime of your Plasma and LCD tv. Use this to compare impact on global warming of your next Plasma and LCD Tv purchase.

The Comparison Net Energy Calculator provides you an estimate of the energy and greenhouse gas that a particular television model will generate over its lifetime.

To use the calculator simply input the expected lifetime of the television plus your usage habits. The average usage assumption we use is six hours viewing per day however if you are a heavy viewer (or have to fight the kids for the tv) this may increase dramatically.

The Energy Calculator then uses three factors to calculate energy consumption and greenhouse gases.

1. The TV's normal and standby power consumption specification as reported by the manufacturer *;

2. Your viewing habits (the default is 6 hours per day); and

3. An energy emission factor (1.239 based on the state of Victoria) published by the Australian Greenhouse Office.

The calculator generates the energy consumption in kilowatts hours for the life of the television plus the associated greenhouse gases generated to produce that energy.

Calculating the actual cost in $ to you over the lifetime of a television is harder. 

Check your bill or review your local electicity provider's site to get the latest cost per kilowatt hour. Multiple that figure (around 17 cents per kilowatt per hour) by the total kilowatts per hour consumed by the TV.

However the cost of energy is predicted to increase over time as Australia invests to minimise greenhouse gas production from energy. A reasonable assumption would be a 20% increase in costs over the next ten years.

*Figures are taken from published manufacturers specifications and are subject to change by the manufacturer from time to time.