How to Make Energy Savings Sexy

Consumer interest in residential energy conservation has been on the rise since Energy Star-qualified desktop PCs and monitors became available over 15 years ago.

Consumers are well aware of the Energy Star logo when seeking out a new major appliance, heating or air conditioning system, flat-panel LCD TV, or just replacing their light bulbs. Newly built homes can also receive the Energy Star qualification if they meet specific criteria.

But apart from flat-panel TVs, consumers may not be fully aware of the opportunities for energy conservation in audio/video systems for a home theater and audio/video distribution. Receivers, amplifiers and DVD players can be major sources of energy consumption when powered continuously without adequate management.

As a result, an A/V system has the potential to consume as much energy, or even more, than major household appliances.

It's up to CE pros to:

1. Make consumers aware of the energy consumption options
2. Sell them on energy-saving systems

A/V Energy Consumption

In simple A/V installations for homes with a single home theater system, it is likely that the consumer will actively turn on and off all components as the system is being used. However, in larger homes with multiple systems and multiroom A/V, it's more likely that equipment will be unattended and left powered on indefinitely.

Such equipment is likely to be hidden away in cabinets, equipment closets and other locations where everyday user access is unlikely.

In addition to consuming more energy when left continuously powered, components (especially amplifiers and receivers) radiate heat. In cabinets and racks, fans are then required to prevent overheating, further contributing to energy costs. Additionally, supplemental air conditioning may be necessary to maintain room temperature.

The potential energy consumption can be estimated for audio amplification in a typical whole-house system. In the case of a four bedroom home with six A/V zones with each zone powered with two channels at 70 watts each, the total amplification required would be 840 watts which could be covered by a 12-channel power amplifier.

Lets assume that this amplifier consumes 35 watts when running idle, and is powered 24/7. Under these conditions, even before a single watt is converted to the outputs, this amplifier would consume during 300 kWh (kilowatt-hour) during one year. This is close to the estimated energy requirement for running a dishwasher over the same period, based on Energy Star guidelines for annual household usage.