California Energy Commission Rebuffs the Consumer Electronics Association and Announces Move to Implement Strict Restrictions on TV Power Use
Consumer electronics/green energy regulations: Despite the objections of major players in the consumer electronics industry, the California Energy Commission announced today (September 18, 2009) that it intends to move ahead with restrictions on television power use that were originally proposed by the energy industry. Under the proposed rules, all new televisions sold in California with a screen size less than 1400 square inches must meet the following standards:
• Tier I (effective January 1, 2011): limited to 1 watt of power while in "passive stand-by" mode and to 0.20 watts x screen area (in square inches) + 32 while in "on mode."
• Tier II (effective January 1, 2013): limited to 1 watt of power while in "passive stand-by" mode and to 0.12 watts x screen area (in square inches) + 32 while in "on mode."
Televisions with a screen size equal to or less than 1400 square inches -- which corresponds roughly to a 58" screen size -- were intentionally omitted from the proposed standards. This concession was in response to objections from many small retailers who sell high-end specialty home theatres that consist almost entirely of screen sizes greater than 58". However, the Commission indicated that it intends to regulate power consumption in these large screen models in a second rulemaking phase.
Effective on January 1, 2011, all TVs would also be required to have a "power factor" of at least 0.9 for units with a power usage greater than or equal to 100 watts. The term "power factor" refers to a TV's maximum draw from the power grid. For example, if a 100 watt TV works by drawing 200 watts from the grid for 0.5 seconds, it would have a power factor of 0.5 (100 watts divided by 200 watts). Many TVs work by drawing a large amount of power from the grid, storing it, using it, and then drawing more power. According to the Commission, these types of designs are energy inefficient, because they lose more energy via heat. Mandating a minimum 0.9 power factor eliminates these types of designs.
In addition to these power restrictions, the Commission also plans to implement: (i) a luminance performance requirement under which a TV's power use in "default mode" can be no greater that 65% of its luminance in its brightest most, (ii) a requirement that all TVs enter standby-passive mode after a maximum of 15 minutes without user input, and (iii) a requirement that all televisions be marked with their on-mode power consumption.
The proposed rules were based on recommendations from Pacific Gas & Electric, a large California utility. The proposed rules would regulate TVs in both their stand-by and "on" modes and would apply to combination as well as stand-alone TVs. They would not cover computer monitors -- a significant exception given the increasing encroachment of computer monitors into the entertainment space. The new rules would require significantly recued power usage: In stand-by mode, power usage would be limited to 1.0 watts. In "on-mode", power usage limits would be based on screen size -- ultimately based on the following formula: [{0.12 watts x the screen area (in square inches)} + 25 watts]. 
For each product, the contractor is to report such items as (i) its energy efficiency or energy consumption; (ii) its compliance with marking requirements; (iii) whether the model complies with California energy efficiency regulations; and (iv) whether the model appears in the Energy Commission's "Active Appliance Database." There is no requirement in the RFP that tests on products be performed. The budget for the survey -- $140,000 to be spent over two fiscal years -- would provide little room for significant testing. Rather, the survey firm is apparently to rely on things such as the product documentation provided by the manufacturer itself to determine compliance.
Under the proposed rules, which were largely based on recommendations from California's utility industry, power usage would be limited to 1.0 watts in stand-by mode. Power usage in active mode would be based on screen size -- ultimately based on the following formula: [{0.12 watts x the screen area (in square inches)} + 25 watts]. All TVs would be required to have a power factor of no more than 0.9. In addition, all TVs would be required to include a menu that forces a viewer to select the display mode each time the power is turned or to have automatic brightness controls. TVs would also have to include features placing the unit in stand-by mode when not in active use. 
