In a unanimous 5-0 vote, the California Energy Commission (CEC) recently approved the nation’s first energy efficiency standards for televisions. The standards will be implemented in 2011 and will make new TVs sold in California the most energy efficient TVs in the nation.

After ten years, the Commission expects the regulations to save $8.1 billion in energy costs and save enough to power 864,000 single-family homes. Pacific Gas & Electric estimates that the standards will cut CO2 emissions by 3 million tons over a decade.

“The real winners of these new TV energy efficiencies are California consumers who will be saving billions of dollars and conserving energy while preserving their choice to buy any size or type of TV. Californians buy four million televisions each year and they deserve the most energy efficient models available,” said Energy Commission Chairman Karen Douglas.

The standards mandate that new TVs must consume 33% less electricity by 2011 and 49% less by 2013, but will only affect TVs with screens 58 inches or smaller. For example, a 42-inch screen would consume 183 watts or less by 2011 and 115 watts or less by 2013. Stores will not be prohibited from selling existing stock of older televisions after the standards go into effect.

• Read background: “California Approves New Energy Efficient TV Regulations” The California Energy Commission (11/18/09)
• Read our Televisions Product Guide
• Related: “California Energy Commission Proposes New Rules for Television Efficiency” (e-Newswire, 5/01/09)