Greener Set-Tops Save Consumers $168 Million

According to the "Voluntary Agreement for Ongoing Improvement to the Efficiency of Set-Top Boxes 2013 Annual Report," the voluntary set-top energy conservation agreement among the pay TV industry, consumer electronics manufacturers and energy efficiency advocates has saved American consumers approximately $168 million in energy bills.

According to the report, 85% of set-top boxes purchased by pay TV providers in 2013 met the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR 3.0 efficiency levels. New set-tops use approximately 14% less energy than those previously issued by the service providers.

Other data indicate that the Voluntary Agreement led to a 4.4% reduction in national energy consumption by set-tops even as deployed stock increased in 2013. Set-top purchases indicate early adoption of 2017 goals - 90% of purchased set-top boxes must meet a more stringent set of energy efficiency levels called Tier 2; approximately 47% of set-top boxes purchased in 2013 met Tier 2 levels.