California Announces TV Energy Efficiency Standards

Regulators in California have approved compulsory television energy consumption standards – an unprecedented act.  The energy used by televisions in California represents 10 per cent of the average household’s electricity bill there and –according to those who back the new ruling – the consequent benefits will be many.  Electricity bills will reduce by a minimum of $8bn over the coming decade, they say, while – on the environmental side – sufficient energy will be saved to electrify over 860,000 houses. 

California: Energy Efficiency

California’s stringent environmental policy and energy efficiency leadership have put it at the forefront of US states engaged in fighting climate change and implementing environmentally friendly strategies and technologies.  Even before this new TV energy measure was announced, the state already used less electricity – on a per capita basis – than any other in the US.  Now – with the full roll-out of the energy consumption directive – California’s TV energy standards are set to surpass all others in the world, according to a representative of environmental organisation the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Specifically, the regulations will be implemented in two stages.  As of 2011, all new televisions on sale in California will be required to use 33 per cent less energy compared to present models, while the requirement as of 2013 will be 50 per cent.  According to the California Energy Commission – whose members voted on the new rules – in excess of 1,000 currently-available televisions already comply with the 2011 element of the new standards. 

TV Energy Efficiency

The vast significance of California in terms of retail sales as a whole is expected to be a factor that will urge other states to adopt similar TV energy efficiency strategies, along with cities around the world. 

Among the other energy-efficiency standards introduced in California are those relating to mobile phone charges, fridges and many other electric products and gadgets.  All are linked to a wider 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal of 28 per cent. 

In emissions terms, the TV energy consumption standards are expected to save 3m tons of CO2 from being emitted over the coming ten years.

See also:

$3bn California Energy Efficiency Programme Unveiled

California Fuel CO2 Reduction Measure