EnergyGuide Labels for TVs Must Allow For Power Use of Other Functions, Says CEE

Energy use labels on TVs should indicate clearly that they don’t take into account power consumption for additional functions like integral DVD players of the sets, said a group representing U.S. and Canadian utilities. About 6.2 percent of TVs now have additional features, and failing to note this on the label could cause consumers to “underestimate the total energy use of the product,” the Consortium for Energy Efficiency said in comments to the FTC. The commission has started a rulemaking to extend EnergyGuide labeling requirements to TVs and other consumer electronics.

The consortium said the FTC must come up with a labeling set-up that assures “consistency,” to allow consumers to compare models’ energy use “at a glance.” It suggested that the commission require the label be in the “same front-facing location” for all TVs. Labels should be required on boxes in addition to sets, the group said, “unless the costs are found to be unduly burdensome.” There’s “value” to mandating box labeling because labels on sets on display at retail locations can be detached and some big-box retailers have boxed products available for sale on the sales floor, the consortium said.

Pacific Gas & Electric said it wants the labels to be at least 15 square inches. The company cited its experience in a consumer-electronics incentive program it ran with retailers. PG&E also suggested that the FTC require energy use information on retailers’ and manufacturers’ websites. Many shoppers do research online before buying TVs at retail, the company said, so retailers and manufacturers must “display a virtual energy label” on their websites to ensure that consumers have access to energy use information. The FTC should create an online database of energy use information for all TVs, like the ones it has for air conditioners, clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators and other appliances, PG&E said.

The CEE said computers and monitors for them are “strong candidates” for labeling “near term.” Because there are significant differences in energy consumption between notebook and desktop computers, the consortium recommended that the commission treat them as “separate categories.” A challenge in requiring energy use disclosures for monitors is settling on test procedures, it said. The consortium develops energy standards for consumer electronics that are used by utilities to devise incentive programs. PG&E said the commission should go ahead with hearings on labeling for computers and monitors. “Energy Star currently has a test specification that we believe is sufficient to use as is or with slight modifications,” the utility said.