Final Report Electronics and Energy Efficiency: A Plug Load Characterization Study SCE0284 Prepared For: Prepared By: Jane S. Peters, Ph.D. Marti Frank, Ph.D. Joe Van Clock April Armstrong Research Into Action, Inc. January 29, 2010 ELECTRONICS AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY: A PLUG LOAD CHARACTERIZATION STUDY = ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors would like to thank several people for their contributions to this project: Chris Badger of Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC); Jason Boehlke and Ryan Rassmusen of Ecos; Linda Dethman of Dethman and Associates; Andrew Fanara, Katharine Kaplan, Christopher Kent, and Kathleen Vokes of ENERGY STAR®; Noah Horowitz of the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC); Melissa Lucas of the New England Economic Partnership (NEEP); Margie Lynch of the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE); Mark Michalski of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA); Kari Reid of BC Hydro; and Jennifer Thorne Amann of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The authors would also like to acknowledge and thank the many industry representatives who gave their time and insight to this project. ELECTRONICS AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY: A PLUG LOAD CHARACTERIZATION STUDY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ELECTRONICS AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY: A PLUG LOAD CHARACTERIZATION STUDY = TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................... I BARRIERS ..................................................................................................................................................... I PROGRAM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS ................................................................................................. II OPPORTUNITIES ........................................................................................................................................ III RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................................................................................. IV Program Design and Implementation .............................................................................................. IV Program Marketing .......................................................................................................................... V Codes and Standards Activities ....................................................................................................... VI NEXT STEPS ................................................................................................................................................ VI 1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 1 STUDY GOALS AND APPROACH ............................................................................................................. 3 REPORT CONTENTS .................................................................................................................................... 6 2. KEY FINDINGS & IMPLICATIONS FOR PROGRAM DESIGN .............................................. 7 PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS ...................................................................................................... 7 Process .............................................................................................................................................. 7 Development Timelines .................................................................................................................... 8 Inputs to Product Design ................................................................................................................... 9 Ascendant Products ......................................................................................................................... 10 MANUFACTURERS .................................................................................................................................... 12 Market Share ................................................................................................................................... 12 Key Players ..................................................................................................................................... 13 DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS ..................................................................................................................... 16 Top Retailers ................................................................................................................................... 18 MARKETING ............................................................................................................................................... 18 Key Features ................................................................................................................................... 18 Marketing Mediums ........................................................................................................................ 20 ENERGY EFFICIENCY LABELS ............................................................................................................... 21 ENERGY STAR ............................................................................................................................. 21 Other Energy Efficiency Labels ...................................................................................................... 27 ELECTRONICS AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY: A PLUG LOAD CHARACTERIZATION STUDY Page ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ENERGY-EFFICIENT PRODUCTS ............................................................................................................ 28 Quadrant Analysis of Energy Efficiency Engagement and Commitment Among Top Manufacturers............................................................................................................................ 28 Buying Efficient Products Online ................................................................................................... 30 Marketing Messages for Energy-Efficient Products ....................................................................... 32 BARRIERS ................................................................................................................................................... 33 OPPORTUNITIES ........................................................................................................................................ 34 Potential Program Strategies ........................................................................................................... 43 IMPLICATIONS FOR PROGRAM DESIGN .............................................................................................. 44 Four Program Design Guidelines .................................................................................................... 44 Key Findings ................................................................................................................................... 45 Recommendations ........................................................................................................................... 50 3. PRODUCT CHARACTERIZATIONS ..................................................................................... 53 TVS ............................................................................................................................................................... 53 Key Market Characteristics and Trends .......................................................................................... 53 Product Types ................................................................................................................................. 54 Top 10 Manufacturers ..................................................................................................................... 54 Energy Efficiency ........................................................................................................................... 57 Resources ........................................................................................................................................ 58 PCS ................................................................................................................................................................ 58 Key Market Characteristics and Trends .......................................................................................... 58 Manufacturers ................................................................................................................................. 58 Energy Efficiency ........................................................................................................................... 61 DISPLAYS .................................................................................................................................................... 62 Key Market Characteristics and Trends .......................................................................................... 62 Manufacturers ................................................................................................................................. 62 Energy Efficiency ........................................................................................................................... 63 SET-TOP BOXES ......................................................................................................................................... 65 Key Market Characteristics and Trends .........................................................................................