California Unveils Energy Standards for Flat Screen Televisions

NPR is reporting that California is poised to become the first state to introduce energy efficiency standards for flat screen TVs. Believe it or not, flat screen televisions use more electricity than the old style tube models. In fact, flat screens can account for up to 10 percent of household energy use, making them a ripe target for energy savings.

The proposed standards, which are expected to pass in November, would start going into effect in 2011, with a second phase in 2013. They are expected to save Californians $8.1 billion dollars in electricity costs over 10 years, and reduce consumption enough to keep a whole gas-fired electric power plant from being built.

Only about a quarter of the sets currently available in the state would have to be modified to be compliant with the new rules. Those that do not meet the standards would have to cut electricity use by about 30 percent to meet the first round of regulations, and then an additional 20 percent to meet the second round.

California has already passed similar guidelines for air conditioners, refrigerators, and other appliances. Regulations like these have been credited with keeping California’s energy consumption stable since the 1970s.

As has been the case in the past, these more energy efficient flat screens will probably start making their way across the country soon after they hit California.