patriot45
09-10-2009, 11:00 AM
Large screen televisions are next to go! How big is too big! How about 50"! (http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10347497-54.html)
How big is too big when it comes to TV screen size? How much energy does the U.S. gobble up watching television?
If you ask the Environmental Protection Agency, the answers would be (a) anything over 50 inches and (b) about 4 percent of all household electricity.
"There are about 275 million TVs currently in use in the U.S., consuming over 50 billion kWh of energy each year - or 4 percent of all households' electricity use. This is enough electricity to power all the homes in the state of New York for an entire year," according to the Energy Star program, a joint effort of the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Energy Star, which sets the standard for energy efficiency ratings on consumer products, says that televisions will have to become more efficient in order to earn its coveted sticker.
Sharp's 52-inch Aquos LC-52D65U LCD TV consumes 121.6 watts in viewing mode.
(Credit: Sharp)For their products to qualify, television manufacturers will have to meet a new standard by May 2010 and an even stricter standard by May 2012.
The version 4.0 Energy Star sticker, the standard set for May 2010, will require 40 percent greater efficiency, while the version 5.0 sticker will require 65 percent more efficiency than a TV sold today.
Generally, the new requirements put restrictions on the amount of power a TV can consume when it's in use ("on" mode), and when it's figuratively off but downloading programming information (DAM, or download acquisition mode).
The agency has also taken a stand on what it sees as responsible consumerism with regard to energy and the environment.
How big is too big when it comes to TV screen size? How much energy does the U.S. gobble up watching television?
If you ask the Environmental Protection Agency, the answers would be (a) anything over 50 inches and (b) about 4 percent of all household electricity.
"There are about 275 million TVs currently in use in the U.S., consuming over 50 billion kWh of energy each year - or 4 percent of all households' electricity use. This is enough electricity to power all the homes in the state of New York for an entire year," according to the Energy Star program, a joint effort of the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Energy Star, which sets the standard for energy efficiency ratings on consumer products, says that televisions will have to become more efficient in order to earn its coveted sticker.
Sharp's 52-inch Aquos LC-52D65U LCD TV consumes 121.6 watts in viewing mode.
(Credit: Sharp)For their products to qualify, television manufacturers will have to meet a new standard by May 2010 and an even stricter standard by May 2012.
The version 4.0 Energy Star sticker, the standard set for May 2010, will require 40 percent greater efficiency, while the version 5.0 sticker will require 65 percent more efficiency than a TV sold today.
Generally, the new requirements put restrictions on the amount of power a TV can consume when it's in use ("on" mode), and when it's figuratively off but downloading programming information (DAM, or download acquisition mode).
The agency has also taken a stand on what it sees as responsible consumerism with regard to energy and the environment.