In California, (TV) Size Does Matter

The state of California’s Energy Commission is looking to implement energy standards for plasma and liquid crystal TVs, with a vote coming as early as next month.

Many are referring to the new standards as a “big screen ban,” which have already been met by objection from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) on behalf of TV manufacturers. At this stage, what does it mean for consumers?

According to the CEA, a big screen television can consume as much energy as a refrigerator yearly. Photo: Flickr/Eirik Stavem

• It will have no effect on current televisions, and any new TVs will not be required to comply with a standard until 2011.
• Californians will still be able to buy any size of TV, provided it meets the standards. Already, more than 1,000 models are in compliance.
• The Energy Commission estimates that TV use accounts for 10 percent of a home’s electricity, with larger screens consuming more power.

The Commission has conducted studies that show a big screen TV uses as much energy annually as a refrigerator, and consumers are now buying larger sets with more features that could further the power drain.

If passed, the standards would have two tiers of integration. The first tier would begin in 2011 and reduce energy consumption by 33 percent, while the second tier would take effect in 2013 and cut energy use by 49 percent.

The ENERGY STAR program is already a national system in place to evaluate energy efficiency. In order for TVs to receive ENERGY STAR certification, they must meet a certain level of efficiency, which can be accomplished with features such automatic shut-off after a certain period of inactivity.

For those considering a more energy-efficient set, it’s important to remember to recycle your old television, because it could contain heavy metals such as lead and mercury. While sets are harmless in your living room, if broken in a landfill, they can leach these metals into soil and the air.