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LCD TVs proving to be an energy burden

November 30, 2009
By Aaron Pinto

California continues to lead the way in sustainable and energy efficient practices for North America, but what does this mean for Canada?

Recently, the California Energy Commission approved the nation’s first television energy efficiency standards. The initiative is meant to address the growing market for flat-screen, high definition TVs, which consume more energy than the older cathode-ray tube sets.

Peter Love, Ontario’s former chief energy conservation officer, suggested Ontario will ultimately emulate California’s green ambitions.

“California is the [green] leader in the United States. [Likewise], Ontario is considered the leader in Canada,” Love said. “I would be surprised if Canada does not match the Californian standard.”

The initiative mandates new TVs with screen sizes up to 58 inches sold in California should consume 33 per cent less electricity by 2011 and 49 per cent less by 2013, making California’s new TVs the most efficient in the United States according to a press release from the commission

The commission projected that after 10 years with the new standards, the state will save enough energy to power 864,000 single-family homes.

Western is known to house several LCD TV screens — many of which are located in the University Community Centre and the Western Student Recreation Centre.

Emily Rowe, president of the University Students’ Council, agreed Western should look into more energy-efficient LCD screens.

“I understand that there are many LCD TVs on campus. They’re a perfect outlet to [let] students know what’s going on [but] this is definitely something that the University should look into moving forward,” Rowe said.

“[Implementing] an energy audit on the university campus or acquiring efficient LCDs will definitely be considered as we make sure [Western] remains an advanced campus,” she added.

Holly Stover, EnviroWestern co-ordinator at Western, further noted the environmental  impacts associated with the current TV screens used on campus.

“[The LCD TVs] are found to be more energy consumptive than traditional television sets […] The campus community should advocate for the University to use Energy Star rated [TV screens],” Stover said. “We should support the use of models that are made with less toxic chemicals, such as lead or mercury.”

Love agreed the role of students in the transition to more efficient technologies is an important one.

“[As of now], there is a role for governments to play [but] it’s also up to individuals, students, and businesses [...] to make sure that they make [their] homes, offices, and factories as energy-efficient as possible,” Love said. “However, beyond [these roles], there is an inevitable need to create a conservation culture.”

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