The LATimes article: California approves new standards on energy-hungry TVs reports that television manufacturers who want to sell sets in California will need to rein in the power consumption of those sets by Jan. 1, 2011.

California moved today to crack down on the sale of energy-gobbling big-screen television sets that now account for about 10% of a typical household’s monthly power bill.

After nearly two years of study, the California Energy Commission voted 5-0 to approve the nation’s first efficiency regulations for TVs of up to 58 inches sold in the state.

The new standards for TVs, which take effect Jan. 1, 2011, are similar to those imposed on refrigerators, air conditioners and dozens of other household appliances since the 1970s.

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“The average Californian should not see a cost premium,” says the LCD TV Assn. “They will, however, benefit from dozens to hundreds of dollars in energy cost savings over their TV’s lifetime, thus making the proposed standard extremely cost-effective.”

Irvine-based Vizio Inc., a market leader, told the energy commission that it would have no problem complying with the new standards even before they officially take effect.

The commission estimates that switching to more efficient TVs would save an average of $30 per set per year and $8.1 billion in electricity bills statewide over the first decade.

Moving to more efficient televisions would eliminate the need to build at least one large, gas-fired electric power plant, the energy commission says. “Increased efficiency is the most cost-effective way of meeting our renewable energy goals,” said commission Chairwoman Karen Douglas.

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