POWER HOGS
California, which tends to lead the nation in mandating efficiencies in mainstream consumer products like cars, is now focusing it's attention on...flat-screen TVs. As the LA Times reports today:
The consumer electronics industry opposes the regulations, expected to pass in mid-2009, and claims that they could remove some TVs from store shelves and slightly boost sticker prices.
But the California Energy Commission is looking for ways to relieve the strain on the power grid. Officials say the standards, once fully in place, would reduce the state's annual energy needs by an amount equivalent to the power consumed by 86,400 homes."
The numbers involved here may surprise some:
"During a peak viewing time when most sets are on, such as the Super Bowl, TVs in the state collectively suck up the equivalent of 40% of the power generated by the San Onofre nuclear power station running at full capacity. Televisions account for about 10% of the average Californian's monthly household electricity bill..."
"...Sales of television sets are growing by 4 million a year, the vast majority of them flat-panels. LCD -- liquid crystal display -- sets use 43% more electricity, on average, than conventional tube TVs; larger models use proportionately more. Plasma TVs, which command a relatively small share of the market, need more than three times as much power as bulky, old-style sets."
"...Sales of television sets are growing by 4 million a year, the vast majority of them flat-panels. LCD -- liquid crystal display -- sets use 43% more electricity, on average, than conventional tube TVs; larger models use proportionately more. Plasma TVs, which command a relatively small share of the market, need more than three times as much power as bulky, old-style sets."
It'll be interesting to see if other states follow California's lead on moving towards greener TVs. In the meantime, excuse me while I go turn off the flat screen in the other room.
"sets use 43% more electricity, on average, than conventional tube TVs; "
That factoid seems suspect. Are they comparing tvs with similar sized screens or are they just comparing the energy of tube tvs sold with those of LCD tvs sold?
Posted by: Alex Tolley | Sunday, January 04, 2009 at 03:06 AM
"sets use 43% more electricity, on average, than conventional tube TVs; "
That factoid seems suspect. Are they comparing tvs with similar sized screens or are they just comparing the energy of tube tvs sold with those of LCD tvs sold?
Posted by: Alex Tolley | Sunday, January 04, 2009 at 03:09 AM