Devices

A new report from the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is accusing three of the biggest TV manufacturers in the world of exploiting loopholes in energy tests, resulting in nearly double the consumer energy consumption for 2015 and 2016 TV models 32 inches and larger, vs. what’s listed in the TV’s specs. Samsung Electronics, Vizio and LG Electronics are all singled out in the report, with accusations that they’ve taken advantage of Department of Energy (DOE) testing procedures on how much energy their sets actually consume, with NRDC estimating that over a decade, the sets in question could cost consumer as much as $1.2 billion in electricity costs.

However, LG wasn’t having it, with a company spokesman saying: “Simply put, LG disputes the findings in the report, and we take great exception to the assertion that LG is ‘exploiting a loophole’ in the government test procedure. LG has followed both the letter and spirit of the DOE test procedure for TV energy testing.”

At issue is how the DOE tests energy consumption for sets, with the federal agency using test videos that aren’t comparable to how consumers actually watch video. The DOE video test uses shorter scenes with quicker cuts, and NRDC says that TVs from Samsung and LG use motion-detection dimming features that only lowers energy consumption when rapid motion and frequent scene changes are detected.

Additionally, all three companies are accused of disabling energy-saving features with no warning when consumers change the picture settings on a TV, something other TV manufacturers like Sony do not do, and something the DOE does not take into account with their tests.

“The global standard video clip on which the DOE test method is based is eight years old and needs a major overhaul,” said Chris Calwell, principal of Ecos Research, which conducted the study with NRDC. “DOE should update its test method with more realistic video content, including video encoded in high dynamic range (HDR), to ensure that the resulting measurements are closer to what consumers would actually experience when using their TVs at home.”

That’s something LG agrees with: the DOE needs a new test. But accusing it and Samsung and Vizio of deceiving consumers is out of bounds, the LG spokesman said. “For example, there is no consensus on how to define ‘normal viewing,’” he added. “The NRDC’s ‘normal viewing’ test clip and LG’s ‘normal viewing’ test clip show significantly different results. We look forward to working with the DOE and stakeholders to develop a new test clip going forward. For now, the … test clip is the standard that the industry must follow according to applicable law.

“Even before we met with NRDC this summer, LG was working proactively with the EPA on related issues. The NRDC report fails to point out how LG is addressing energy saving features, both for current and future products.”

The report also noted that new, Ultra High-Def TVs use up to 50% more energy when displaying content with high dynamic range (HDR), with TV energy-saving features automatically disabled when HDR content is played. NRDC wants that issue addressed as well.

“With millions of televisions purchased annually across America, all of this extra energy use has a major impact on national energy consumption, consumer utility bills, and the environment,” said Noah Horowitz, senior scientist and director, of NRDC’s Center for Energy Efficiency Standards. “In some cases, a TV’s annual energy use will be twice the levels that manufacturers reported. Steps must be taken to ensure televisions are as energy efficient as possible during actual use and not just during government testing.”

Samsung and Vizio did not immediately respond to requests for comment.