Save Energy Without Leaving Your Couch: Watching TV More Efficiently
Published: July 18, 2012
Essie Snell
Consumers seem to have more choices than ever about how to watch video content. They can watch cable TV and on-demand movies using a digital set-top box (likely attached to a DVR); they can watch DVDs or Blu-ray disks using a dedicated player or a video game console; or they can stream video content using the on-board equipment on their display or on a separate box like an Apple TV, Roku, or Google TV. All of these video delivery systems use different amounts of energy, and it’s possible to reduce your energy consumption simply by making smart choices about how you watch TV.
Set-top boxes are among the most prolific devices currently used to watch TV, but they also tend to use the most energy. According to a 2010 report from the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) titled Better Viewing, Lower Energy Bills, and Less Pollution: Improving the Efficiency of Television Set-Top Boxes (PDF), the average set-top box configuration in a home uses nearly 450 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy annually—more than a new Energy Star–qualified refrigerator! Even worse, most consumers don’t have a choice about whether to get an energy-efficient model or not; instead, they typically take whatever their cable provider gives them. The good news is that the Energy Star program and others are working with manufacturers to develop new models that consume less energy, but it’s unclear when we can expect to see energy-efficient set-top boxes becoming widely prevalent in the marketplace.
Many consumers also watch DVDs or Blu-ray disks on a regular basis. However, the energy use associated with doing so varies dramatically depending on what is used to play those disks. Stand-alone DVD players are typically the most efficient, drawing around 10 watts in active mode. In contrast, a stand-alone Blu-ray player can draw over three times as much power as a dedicated DVD player, and a video game console can use as much as 24 times the power of a stand-alone DVD player to play a given movie, according to a separate NRDC report focused on video game consoles.
Consumers can also now stream video content through a dedicated box or an Internet-enabled TV. Preliminary evidence from the 2010 NRDC report suggests that this is actually the most efficient way to watch movies or TV shows, with some streaming boxes using as little as 3 watts in active mode. That’s less than one-third the power of a DVD player and one-tenth the power of a typical set-top box!
These findings suggest several straightforward steps that users can take to save energy while still enjoying their favorite movies and TV shows. Utilities can include these tips in their customer communications. First, make sure to turn off your set-top box and DVR when not in use (as long as you can do so without interrupting scheduled recordings). Next, use a dedicated DVD or Blu-ray player instead of your gaming console. Finally, when trying to decide between cable and a streaming service, choose the streaming option.
For more information on the energy use of consumer electronics like TVs, set-top boxes, and video game consoles, please contact us.
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About the Author
Essie Snell
SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Essie Snell is part of the E Source technology assessment team. He researches, writes, and presents on a variety of topics, including plug loads, water heating, building-envelope components, drivepower, and black-box technologies. He previously worked with Point380, a consulting firm specializing in energy management, where he gained experience with carbon footprinting and neutrality strategies. Essie holds a BS from the University of Colorado at Boulder in engineering physics.
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