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ASAP

Televsions

Last Updated: December 2009
See the federal standards main page to view current status

THE PRODUCT: Televisions include products designed to receive and display audio-visual content from terrestrial, cable, satellite, Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), or other sources. TVs typically consist of a tuner or receiver and a display encased in a single enclosure. Traditional cathode-ray tubes (CRT) are, for the most part, no longer manufactured, having been replaced by flat panel technologies such as liquid crystal display (LCD) and plasma products.

THE STANDARD: The California Energy Commission (CEC) adopted new television standards on November 18th, 2009. The standards establish the first-ever active mode power usage limits. The new active mode standards will be implemented in two phases. Tier 1 will be effective on January 1, 2011; Tier 2, similar to ENERGY STAR 4.0, will be effective on January 1, 2013, 30 months after Energy Star 4.0 goes into effect. Currently, over a thousand television models meet Tier 1 and about 250 models meet Tier 2. The California standards for televisions with a screen area less than 1400 inches (58 in diagonal) are:

TIER 1: Power ≤ 0.20 * Screen Area (in2) + 32
TIER 2: Power ≤ 0.12 * Screen Area (in2) + 25

Active mode standards for televisions larger than 58 inches diagonal will be considered in Phase 2 of the rulemaking. In addition, the standards require that TVs provide a minimum level of brightness in the “home” or default mode in which energy use is measured to prevent gaming of the standard. (If the home mode is too dim, consumers will switch to other modes that would erode energy savings.)  California’s 3 watts standby-passive mode power usage standard, in effect since 2006, will be lowered to 1 watt effective January 2011. The standards also require a minimum power factor of 0.9.

In September 2009, ENERGY STAR finalized updated specifications (versions 4.0 and 5.0) which will go into effect on May 1, 2010 and May 1, 2012 respectively. The new versions set on-mode power consumption levels, ensure that the default factory settings are set to the more efficient levels (home setting rather than store display setting), and curb energy associated with the downloading program guide data. To qualify for ENERGY STAR labeling, TV’s must meet the following on mode power requirements:

Version 5.0
Screen area < 275 square inches: Power ≤ 0.130 * Screen Area (in2) + 5
275 ≤ Screen area ≤ 1068 square inches: Power ≤ 0.084 * Screen Area (in2) + 18

TV’s over 1068 square inches (50 inches diagonal) must meet the same on mode energy requirement (108 watts) as the 50-inch sets to be qualified for the ENERGY STAR label.

KEY FACTS: According to EPA’s Energy Star, there are 275 million TV’s in the US, accounting for about 4% of all households’ electricity use. National Resources Defense Council reports that TV’s and peripherals (such as digital video recorders, cable boxes, satellite, and video game consoles) are estimated to represent 10% of residential electricity use. Significant technological advancements have reduced the energy consumption of flat panel TVs, including plasma and LCD products, two of the most popular types available. For plasma TV’s, the newest technologies use new phosphors and cell design technology to achieve the savings. Also, NEO Plasma Display Panel technology uses larger cells to emit more light at lower power. For LCD’s, development in the use of advanced films, different liquid crystals, improved fluorescent backlight technology, LED lighting, and color field sequence technology have emerged as key methods of reducing consumption (CEC 2009b). CEC has estimated that there is no additional incremental cost for televisions meeting the new standards.

Federal: In October 2009, DOE rescinded the obsolete TV test method (for analog televisions) and said they intend to start a rulemaking for new test methods soon. At the same time, DOE indicated that it would soon initiate a federal proceeding to set standards for TV sets. Generally, DOE takes three years to complete new standards and allows three years between a new standard’s publication and implementation. Thus, if DOE adheres to this typical schedule, the soonest federal standards might take effect would be during 2016.

State: See above for California developments. Television standards are included in the ASAP 2010 Model State Standards bill and state bills based on this model such as one pending in Massachusetts.