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Contact: Samantha Nevels or Tyler Suiters

703-907-7080 703-907-7654

snevels@CE.org tsuiters@CE.org

www.CE.org

In-home Consumer Electronics Multiply but Electricity Usage per Home Falls, 

Finds New CEA Study

CE devices’ share of residential electricity consumption down nine percent since 2010

Arlington, Va., June 23, 2014 – Despite their significantly higher market penetration in 

U.S. homes, consumer electronics (CE) now account for a lower percentage of electricity usage per 

household than they did three years ago, according to new research released today by the Consumer 

Electronics Association (CEA)®. The study Energy Consumption of Consumer Electronics in U.S. 

Homes in 2013 says CE devices accounted for just 12 percent of residential electricity consumption 

in the U.S. last year, a nine percent drop from their energy consumption share in 2010 (13.2 

percent).

“This comprehensive assessment of CE energy consumption is a significant contribution to 

the understanding of energy efficiency trends within our industry,” said Gary Shapiro, president and 

CEO of CEA. “Rapid changes in the energy consumption characteristics of high-tech devices make 

it essential to develop up-to-date and accurate assessments of energy usage. And it’s clear the 

energy efficiency improvements for consumer electronics are best driven by innovation, 

competition, voluntary agreements and programs such as ENERGY STAR."

Within CE's 12 percent share of total residential energy consumption in 2013, televisions 

accounted for 30 percent, set-top boxes 18 percent and computers 13 percent. While televisions 

continue to be the most widely owned CE device in the U.S. with 97 percent household penetration 

in 2013, their unit energy consumption is declining due to innovations in display technologies. The 

total annual electricity consumption of televisions dropped 23 percent from 2010, as efficiency 

levels increased and the use of cathode ray tube (analog) televisions declined.

“The Environmental Protection Agency applauds the electronics industry for the efficiency 

innovation that underlies the findings of this new study,” said Ann Bailey, director of the ENERGY 

STAR Products Program. “This is further evidence that American consumers don’t have to sacrifice 

to save energy and help protect the climate.”

“Long-standing programs like ENERGY STAR and new-model approaches such as the 

recent set top box voluntary agreement prove that energy efficiency is best achieved when the 

public and private sectors work together,” said Doug Johnson, vice president of technology policy 

at CEA. “In the rapidly-changing world of electronics devices and high-tech products, these 

voluntary and market-driven approaches are the only methods that can keep pace with technology, 

protect innovation and competition, and still achieve efficiency goals. If older data is used to 

analyze potential energy policy decisions, such as voluntary or mandatory regulatory programs, it 

can lead to less effective policy decisions that may not achieve the end goals.”
This is the third major study CEA has commissioned to quantify the electricity consumption 

of CE in U.S. households. The two prior studies focused on CE in homes in 2006 and 2010. The 

latest study covers 17 priority products comprising 80 percent of the residential energy use of 

consumer electronics, plus an additional 29 other products that make up the remaining 20 percent. 

Relative to other energy end uses, the CE end-use characteristics typically change very quickly due 

to innovation and shorter product cycles.

According to the study, U.S. households were actively using nearly 3.8 billion CE devices in 

2013 spanning 46 discrete technology categories and consuming an estimated 169 terawatt-hours 

(TWh) of electricity. The prior study reported 2.9 billion devices were in use in 2010 across 35 

discrete technology categories and consumed an estimated 193 TWh.

“As the Alliance pursues the goal of doubling energy productivity in the U.S. by 2030, it’s 

essential that we understand and account for energy-use trends and efficiency gains across all 

industry sectors, including electronics," said Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save 

Energy. "We applaud CEA for its commitment to accuracy in conducting and sharing these studies, 

which provide invaluable insight to both policymakers and the broader energy efficiency 

community.”

“Good energy-efficiency policy depends on having good and current data,” said Assembly 

Member Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), chairman of the California Assembly Utilities and 

Commerce Committee. “Especially for the fast-moving, innovative consumer electronics industry, 

it’s crucial for policy makers to understand the latest energy and technology trends in order to 

recognize the best policy approaches.”

The study was produced by the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems to 

quantify the electricity consumption of CE products in U.S. households in 2013. Devices covered in 

depth in the study include televisions, game consoles, set-top boxes (cable, satellite, telco and standalone), computers and peripherals, computer speakers, monitors, home audio, smart phones, tablets 

and networking equipment.

For a comprehensive look at the CE industry’s ongoing efforts toward improved 

sustainability and efficiency, please see The Consumer Electronics Association 2013 Sustainability 

Report. CEA also supports consumer education on energy efficiency and e-cycling via the website 

GreenerGadgets.org, where consumers can calculate their approximate home energy usage with the 

Consumer Electronics Energy Calculator and find tips to help reduce their energy costs.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the technology trade association representing the $208 billion 

U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including 

legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and 

the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also owns and produces the International CES – The Global 

Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services. Find CEA online at 

www.CE.org, www.DeclareInnovation.com and through social media. 

UPCOMING EVENTS
 CE Week

June 23-27, 2014, New York, NY

o CE Week Exhibits

June 25-26, 2014, New York, NY

 CEA Innovate!

Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2014, Phoenix, AZ

 CES Unveiled Paris

October 22, 2014, Paris, France

 CE Hall of Fame Dinner

November 10, 2014, New York, NY

 CES Unveiled New York

November 11, 2014, New York, NY

 CES Unveiled Las Vegas

January 4, 2015, Las Vegas, NV

 2015 International CES

January 6-9, 2015, Las Vegas, NV

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