California Adopts Nation’s First Energy Efficiency Standards for TVs

Media Releases

Media Contacts

Standards Will Prevent Pollution and Save Consumers Money

Environment California

Sacramento – The California Energy Commission (CEC) passed the nation’s first energy efficiency standards for televisions. The standards are expected to save consumers an estimated $1 billion per year, cut smog-forming air pollution by 876 tons per year and cut global warming pollution by more than 3 million tons per year. The California Energy Commission, an agency that has been at the helm of regulations that have helped make California the most energy efficient state in the country, won the praise of Environment California and several other leading environmental groups.
 
“Televisions are fast becoming hummers of the home,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, clean energy advocate for Environment California. “It is high time that California take on these electricity guzzling appliances to protect consumers and the environment. We applaud the California Energy Commission for passing these regulations today.”
 
High-definition televisions are rapidly becoming the single largest demand for electricity within the home. Over the past several years, the total energy used by TVs has increased steadily according to a study by PG&E. Today, TVs and associated electronics make up approximately 10% of the energy consumed in a home according to the CEC.  More than 4 million TVs are sold in California each year according to the CEC.
 
“Energy efficiency provides the fastest, cheapest, cleanest source of energy out there,” said Del Chiaro. “With today’s decision, California is once again leading the country toward a clean energy future.”
 
The minimum energy efficiency standards will kick in between now and 2013. Once these standards are adopted, other states such as Massachusetts and New York are likely to follow.