Audio/video products such as home theaters, DVD players and docking stations, among others, will face more stringent energy efficiency requirements to qualify for the EPA's Energy Star label.
Version 2.0 of the EPA's A/V Energy Star requirements are effective immediately. For products previously or currently carrying the label, the new requirements will be effective July 30, 2010, in order for them to continue carrying the label.
The new requirements, which also apply to commercial A/V products, cover products ranging from home-theater-in-a-box, audio amplifiers, AV receivers, shelf systems, DVD players, Blu Ray players, to docking stations that offer audio amplification or optical disc drive functions.
If all new A/V products sold meet these standards, EPA says up to $1 billion in energy costs could be saved annually.
In September, EPA updated the Energy Star levels for TVs. To gain an Energy Star rating, TVs next year must be 40 percent more efficient than standard models.
The new requirements take effect May 1, 2010. The new requirements call for TVs to use less energy when turned on, as well as to curb power associated with downloading program guide data.
In 2007, when EPA's Version 1.0 Energy Star rating for A/V reigned supreme, Thomson Audio/Video tripled its number of Energy Star qualified RCA Audio/Video products.
