In a study commissioned by the Consumer Electronics Association in the United States and conducted by Tiax L.L.C., it was found out that TV manufacturers have continuously improved the energy efficiency of their plasma, liquid crystal display and light emitting diode TV sets over the past seven years, even without existing government mandates.
“Intense competition, the voluntary Energy Star labeling program, and physics favoring less heat and thus less power drove these efficiency gains,” said Gary Shapiro, president and chief officer of Consumer Electronics.
The study examined power consumption trends in digital television technology of the best-selling models from 2003 to 2010. Included were those that have active and standby modes, L.C.D.’s that have screen sizes from 13 to 65 inches, and plasmas from 42 to 65 inches.
Drops in active and standby power use by both L.C.D. and plasma models were recorded. For L.C.D.s, active power use fell by 63 percent from 2003 to 2010, while standby power use dropped 87 percent from 2004 to 2010.
For plasmas, active power use shot down to 41 percent from 2008 to 2010, and standby use fell 85 percent from 2008 to 2010.
Growing use of L.E.D.’s
The reductions in power consumption for L.C.D.’s were credited to the growing use of L.E.D.’s as backlight for these units. Apart from improving energy efficiency performance, L.E.D.-backlit televisions have better brightness and contrast.
For plasma sets, manufacturers have optimized the xenon or neon gas mixture components to control the emission of ultraviolet light.
Product review website CNET has named Panasonic, Samsung and L.G. as the best plasma TV’s in terms of picture quality and cost.
For L.E.D.-based L.C.D.’s, CNET cited Samsung and Vizio models, considering picture quality and energy efficiency. L.E.D.’s and L.E.D.-backlit L.C.D.’s still outdo plasma TV’s in terms of energy efficiency.
Another factor the study cited for increased efficiencies were the manufacturers’ efforts at meeting the standards of the voluntary, government-backed Energy Star energy efficiency labeling scheme.
“Power consumption in televisions has fallen dramatically in the relatively short history of digital television, thanks to the success of the Energy Star program, combined with technological innovation, industry competition and consumer demand,” said Douglas Johnson, the consumer association’s vice president of technology policy.
The buyer of an Energy Star-labeled TV enjoys 35 percent average energy savings above a standard, non-labeled television, which explains the rising consumer demand for Energy Star products and the manufacturers finding ways to earn the label.
“Many consumers don’t realize they can replace an old analog television with a new flat-panel digital television that uses less energy,” said Mr. Johnson.
The association expects L.C.D.’s to account for 82 percent of television sales in 2011, with 27.1 million units shipped. It also expects shipment of 4.6 million plasma sets this year.