If We're Only Snoozing, We're Losing:Opportunities to Save Energy by Improving the Active Mode Efficiencyof Consumer Electronics and Office Equipment

摘要

With appliances, HVAC, and lighting, the vast majority of energy savings has alwayscome from higher efficiency in the functional or "active" mode. Yet with consumer electronicsand office equipment ("electronics"), the primary focus of federal efficiency efforts and utilityprograms to date has been on standby and sleep mode energy use. In effect, these programscurrently call a product "efficient" if it draws a small amount of power when not in active use,regardless of how much energy it consumes to perform its intended function.Now that state and federal standards have "locked in" substantial efficiencyimprovements in the building shell, HVAC, and appliances, plug loads like electronics representan ever-growing share of total residential and commercial energy use. Most of these devicesnow consume more energy in active mode than in their various low power modes. Most containac-dc power supplies, which by themselves can waste 10 to 70% of the total energy consumed bythe finished product, even though more efficient designs are available in the market. In total, thenation's 3.1 billion power supplies waste about 3 to 4% of the entire U.S. electricity bill in theprocess of converting high voltage ac to low voltage dc.This paper will highlight opportunities to improve the active mode efficiency and reducethe overall energy use of computers, monitors, televisions, battery chargers, and other major plugloads. Key strategies include:? Developing standardized test methods? Gathering consumer usage data? Creating active mode efficiency metrics and duty cycle-based benchmarks? Establishing power supply labeling and standards programs? Labeling electronics with standardized, quantitative information about performance andenergy use