by Jbs120709 i3 — December 9, 2009—The California Energy Commission (CEC) recently approved the nation’s first energy efficiency standards for televisions. When these standards take effect in 2011, new televisions sold in California will reportedly be the most energy efficient in the nation.
After ten years, the CEC estimates the regulations will save $8.1 billion in energy costs, while the Pacific Gas & Electric Company estimates that over the course of a decade, the standards will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by three million metric tons.
The technology-neutral standards mandate that new televisions sold in California should consume 33 percent less electricity by 2011 and 49 percent less electricity by 2013. The standards affect only those televisions with a screen size of 58 inches or smaller. For example, a 42-inch screen would consume 183 watts or less by 2011 and 115 watts or less by 2013.
The CEC noted that more than 1,000 TV models on the market today already meet the 2011 standards and cost no more than less-efficient sets. The regulations will not affect televisions that consumers already own or existing retail stock at the time the standards go into effect.
