Earth Day: Green a Factor for TV Buyers

Wednesday April 22, 2009

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Many car buyers look at hybrids because those autos are marketed as being better for the environment. "Green" is certainly a selling point--and now, manufacturers are using the same tactics to sell their TVs, highlighting the fact that some models use less energy and have less "bad" stuff like mercury inside. Research firm iSuppli just released the results of its U.S. TV Consumer Preference Analysis survey and found that 27.5 percent of LCD TV buyers listed green factors as an important influence, while an additional 23.1 percent further responded that green features were something they looked for in an LCD-TV.

Furthermore, more than 40 percent of respondents indicated that their TV set incorporated power savings and/or Energy Star features. But only 16 percent of respondents highlight the set's recyclability. So while consumers are considering the power usage, end of life isn't as much of a concern.

This is worth mentioning, because the California Energy Commission's proposed legislation to require large-screen TVs to use 33 percent less power by 2011, and 49 percent less power by 2013 has come under attack since it was announced two weeks ago. The commission has highlighted that the new energy standards for the sets would reduce global warming and save consumers $18 to $30 a year. Yes, you read that right... $30 a year, or the savings you'd get if you just watch an hour less every week. The problem, says the Consumer Electronics Association, is that these regulations could result in a flat-out ban of large-screen sets in California (no pun intended), as most sets made today are simply not compliant.

But the point is that clearly everyone, including state regulators are looking at the small picture (again, no pun intended) of the short-term energy cost and savings. The bigger issue remains that all TVs, even the really big and expensive ones, will eventually have an end of life, And how this is handled is something that consumers aren't thinking about, and companies are only now starting to address.

For company-by-company instructions, check out GoodCleanTech's Electronics Recycling Superguide.

Post by Peter Suciu

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Posted By: Carol Mangis

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