Energy

Ever since the introduction of flat-screen technology, television sets come in ever larger screen sizes. As screen size increases so does power consumption—although almost no one knows by how much. To illustrate this graphically, the television’s energy consumption label displays its efficiency class, its annual energy consumption, on-mode power consumption, size of visible screen diagonal, and the availability of a hard switch off position.

Energy labelling on TVs is compulsory as of 30 November 2011. The labelling range is A to G and will change to A+ to F after 1 January 2014; as of 1 January 2017, the range will be A++ to E; A+++ to D as of 1 January 2020. This labelling scheme can be used prior to these dates, namely as soon as a more efficient device in a higher class is introduced on the market. What may result is that different labelling schemes will be seen on the market.

TV sets are usually operated in showrooms at high-resolution and with good signal sources in so-called ‘shop mode.’ This operation mode designed especially for showrooms produces a brighter picture and greater contrast. TV viewing at home is set for so-called ‘home mode’ since the shop brightness and contrast settings would be disturbing.

The so-called ‘home mode’ for viewing at home should provide well-balanced brightness and contrast for a good TV image. Energy consumption labelling is based on this setting and on 4 hours’ daily operation. In many cases this setting produces a good picture. Should the picture be brighter or the contrast too high, more energy is usually consumed.

For more advice see journals such as Test in German by Stiftung Warentest.

A bigger television is not necessarily better since not all the images can be discerned on an oversized screen, and it put a strain on the eyes. Furthermore, power consumption rises considerably with screen size. Ideal size depends on the viewer’s distance from the set. Screen diagonal should not exceed roughly one half the distance to the set. For example: given a distance of 1.5 – 2 metres to the TV set, a visible screen diagonal of 82 centimetres is adequate.

The area displaying the energy efficiency class and corresponding letter take up the largest space. The most efficient appliances are in the top, dark green efficiency class, which may now be called A, A+, A++ or A+++. Browse shops, catalogues or online to compare different appliances and see whether a specific one might have a higher efficiency rating.

In addition, information on on-mode power consumption and annual energy consumption are important to compare different appliances within a specific size group. This is why TV screen size must also be featured on the label.

Integration of additional functions such as a second receiver or a hard drive can reduce overall energy consumption as opposed to a number of individual appliances. Any integrated functions must therefore also be considered in addition to energy efficiency.

For an explanation of the television energy label see here in German, PDF/ 289 KB.

How much energy cost savings are made depends on the television size and what it is compared with. The table below shows comparative energy costs (more or less) with a television in Efficiency Class A+ as reference:

• Comparison of TV set energy consumption and calculation of additional costs of a same-size A+ set over 10 years in German, PDF / 47 KB

Information from Friends of the Earth Germany (BUND) on efficient television sets and the “TV-Finder” feature is here in German.

TV performance reviews are available in trade journals such as Stiftung Warentest’s Test in German.