With the February transition to digital broadcast fast approaching, CEE members recognized that now is the time to gain savings from consumer purchases of televisions. Many consumers are expected to trade in their old analog sets for newer, digital ones.

Consumer electronics have been a rapidly rising share of residential end use, and CEE members prepared last summer with the CEE Television Specification. The specification captures savings through an analysis of screen size and both on and standby power modes. The analysis identifies two tiers: CEE Tier 1 is at the ENERGY STARÒ level, and Tier 2 is 15 percent above ENERGY STAR. (For more information, see CEE Newsletter Summer 2008, “CEE Board Approves Super Efficient Television Specification.”) CEE has prepared a qualified product list for members to support the specification.

CEE also worked with ENERGY STAR, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), and Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) to develop a pilot program that links the ENERGY STAR brand with CEE Tier 2 performance requirements. These programs can promote Tier 2 televisions—which are also ENERGY STAR qualified—with a differential incentive and Save More with ENERGY STAR point of purchase materials. “We're pleased to work with CEE members to explore use of Save More with ENERGY STAR,” stated Maria Vargas, brand manager at ENERGY STAR. Save More with ENERGY STAR, when linked to CEE specifications to ensure national consistency, allows ENERGY STAR to target early adopters and those willing to pay more for proven super efficient products, but that may have higher initial costs. SMUD and PG&E are still in the process of finalizing plans with area retailers.

Save More with ENERGY STAR was initially piloted by CEE members in Vermont and California in 2007 and 2008 for appliances meeting CEE tiers higher than ENERGY STAR. Save More has great potential value for CEE members because it leverages the ENERGY STAR brand for promoting products that achieve greater energy savings, and promotes the most efficient products available while minimizing confusion for consumers.

In addition to the specification, CEE has put together a Consumer Electronics Program Guide, which describes the savings opportunity and program approaches to all the market segments involved in distributing and selling efficient televisions. Contact Margie Lynch to request a copy of the Program Guide.

“CEE is fully committed to supporting our members' efforts in the consumer electronics area to tap the savings potential from this explosively growing use of electricity in the home,” stated Marc Hoffman, executive director of CEE. “Members like PG&E and SMUD contribute their groundbreaking experience as we seek the most effective ways for all programs to overcome the market barriers to more efficient consumer electronics.” Other programs are actively considering use of the CEE specification and Save More with ENERGY STAR in future television promotions.

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