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1. At the time of switchover, our model predicts that around 10 percent of primary sets, 16 percent of subsequent sets and 10 percent of VCRs will need to be converted non-voluntarily due to the policy of switching over from analogue television to digital television according to the Government’s announced timetable.
2. The total cost to UK households over the period of switchover of non-voluntary conversions driven by switchover policy is estimated to be £572m. This represents around 2% of all UK consumer spend on brown goods over the same period, which is forecast to be approximately £30bn.^(-1-)
3. Actual cost to individual households of switchover driven non-voluntary conversion of sets and VCRs is estimated to range from £26 - £153 depending on the equipment in the home and the status of voluntary conversion at the time of switchover. Where necessary, replacement of aerials is predicted to cost an additional £20 to £165 depending on whether there is a need to replace the roof aerial and on the number of new set top aerials required. However, as only around 2% of households are expected to require new roof aerials, the range of aerial costs for most households is likely to be from £20 to £40.
4. Typical household power consumption is expected to increase by 0.1 to 0.4kWh per day - an estimated cost of £2 to £8 per year at current tariffs. This is approximately equivalent to running a 60W light bulb for 1.5 to 6.5 hours per day.
5. The total anticipated peak additional power consumption in the UK as a direct result of switchover is expected to be around 31MWh per day (approximately equivalent to each UK household running a child’s night light for around ten minutes per day). Over time, as older equipment is naturally replaced and technology becomes more power efficient, our model predicts that this will trend towards zero.

Footnotes:

1.-“Consumer electronics in the United Kingdom”, Euromonitor 2003

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• Cost and Power Consumption Implications of Digital Switchover [pdf]
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