The California Energy Commission (CEC) on Friday published a long-awaited proposal recommending that new TVs sold in the state reduce power consumption by 33% in 2011 and 49% in 2013.
In California, televisions (along with DVRs, DVD players, and cable/satellite boxes) now consume about 10 percent of a home’s electricity. Increasing sales of flat screen televisions, larger screen sizes, the growing number of TVs per household, and increased daily use of televisions all contribute to greater electricity consumption.
The technology to make TVs more energy efficient is available now and currently used in a variety of models, with 850 models already meeting the 2011 standard. Of those, 231 models meet the 2013 standard, the Commission said.
Nonetheless, the Consumer Electronics Association has a different view of what it calls "arbitrary limits" on television electricity usage. In a report published in April, the Association said tougher efficiency requirements will cause the state will lose $50 million annually in state tax revenue and destroy 4,600 jobstied to TV sales, distribution and installation.
The Natural Resources Defense Council praised the new standard, saying it will put almost a billion dollars a year back into the California economy in the form of lower electric bills.
“These TV standards will protect consumers’ pocketbooks, as the new, more efficient models will cost a lot less to operate while delivering that same great high definition picture. Many Californians will save around $200 in electricity over the life of the product," Noah Horowitz, a senior scientist with the NRDC, said.
The CEC has opened a 45-day public comment period on the proposed standard.
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