WASHINGTON, DC — American consumers have saved more than $500 million in energy bills since a voluntary agreement to improve the energy efficiency of set-top boxes was adopted by the pay TV industry, consumer electronics manufacturers and energy efficiency advocates in December 2012, according to a new independent audit report by D&R International.
The independent auditor’s Voluntary Agreement for Ongoing Improvement to the Energy Efficiency of Set-Top Boxes 2014 Annual Report shows the improved energy efficiency achieved by set-top boxes in 2013 and 2014 also avoided nearly three million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions during the first two years of the voluntary agreement.
A major driver of the energy cost savings was a 33% decline over two years in the weighted average of energy consumption of digital video recorders, the most energy-intensive type of set-top box, according to the D&R report. Overall, 95% of U.S. service providers’ set-top box purchases in 2014 met the Energy Star Version 3.0 standards — a 12% increase from 2013, the first year of the voluntary agreement — and use approximately 14% less energy than set-top boxes previously issued by the service providers.
In addition, 62% of service providers’ set-top box purchases last year already meet the even more stringent set of Tier 2 energy efficiency levels adopted in an amended voluntary agreement in 2014, which will be the new baseline for the industry’s 90% procurement commitment in 2017.
“The second Annual Report is further proof that rigorous, voluntary, private sector-driven agreements can provide comprehensive energy and related-cost savings for consumers and the country,” said Doug Johnson, vice-president, technology policy, Consumer Electronics Association, in a press release.
Neal Goldberg, general counsel for the Washington, DC-based National Cable & Telecommunications Association, added: “The significant energy savings that have resulted from this voluntary industry agreement show how strongly committed the cable industry is to finding creative ways to improve the overall consumer experience. We will continue to work with our vendor community and other stakeholders to explore ways that set-top boxes and other equipment can become even more energy efficient.”
