As a growing number of consumers purchase HDTVs, government officials in the United States are looking at creating new laws related to energy consumption of TVs. This time around, California state regulators look to put a ban on all TVs that don't meet current federal energy guidelines, numerous media outlets recently published.
The California Energy Commission will likely create rules sometime this year aimed at forcing all retailers in California to sell TVs that adhere to the Energy Star program -- a voluntary system that was created by the U.S. government.
"In the old days, it was easy to look around the house and see that a refrigerator was the dominant guzzler," said Art Rosenfeld, who was a California energy commissioner responsible for creating guidelines in the 1970s. "TVs alone are now 10 percent of a household's use."
Once in place -- if the law truly does go into effect -- California will become the first state in the U.S. to create mandatory energy standards for TVs sold in the state. It seems likely that some shoppers will simply purchase their TVs online if they can't find a specific model for sale at Best Buy, Fry's, or other B&M locations.
The average TV costs $35 to $75 per year to power, and electricity costs could go as high as $225 when DVD players, game consoles, and other electronics are included.
Environmental groups hope the new rule will help reduce electricity usage as more consumers purchase larger TVs while restaurants and bars install more TVs. Research indicates a plasma TV uses more than three times as much energy as a TV 10 years ago. A 48" plasma TV can use more power than a refrigerator, the AP article states.
Several other states have thought about creating similar regulations, and will likely wait to see how it pans out in California.
