When it comes to energy efficiency, will TVs go the way of energy star products? I was at costco the other day looking at all the new T.V.s and notice they all are energy star certified.
The California Energy Commission published a proposal to set efficiency standards for televisions.
The regulations mandate that retailers carry TVs with 33 percent lower energy consumption ratings starting in 2011, followed by more stringent levels in 2013. The policy, which is expected to be approved by the Energy Commission in November, will save households about $30 a year and the state $8.1 billion.
I wonder how much of a household will have saved if they read a book for 3 hours a day instead of staring at flashing lights? Or, if a household only had 1 TV instead of 2 or more?
The mandate will be significant, since California’s efficiency policies have been able to drive down household energy consumption without sacrificing product features in the past. I note the modern refrigerator and washer and dryers. These appliances have been able to reduce consumption for both the State and Household. They, also, created an need to upgrade the traditional appliances. This “new want” generated alot of sales.
With so many people buying new HD flat-screen TVs, many households are taking on a significant new energy loads which can be as much as a non-energy star refrigerator. The growing use of consumer electronics overall–x-box, wii, cell phones, macs, pcs, iPhones, and etc., means that these sub-devices already represent 15 percent of people’s electricity bills, according to the International Energy Agency. “Americans now have about 25 consumer electronic products in every household, compared with just three in 1980.”
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is opposed to the California Energy Commission’s TV standards, the industry group said in a statement. The CEA said that it is better to rely on consumer demand to drive innovation in energy efficiency rather than regulations.
I understand this will put strains on some manufacturers. While others, will use this new mandate to create new marketing campaigns that drive home 2 primary messages: great picture quality, while staying green and energy neutral. The “new” logo on packaging, the new creative in print, and the new market that “energy effective” televisions will create. This is just a thought.
maybe this is already happening, maybe CEA needs younger people working for the company, maybe they need to look past the horizon, and maybe they need to embrace positive change. Consumers only want what is in front of them!
