Q. Is it possible to balance having a green home and electronic home? I love my two big TVs and want to add a multiroom A/V distribution and overall control system as well, but I am starting to feel guilty for having a house that sucks so much energy. - Fred, Pomona, CA

The U.S. Department of Energy says that residential electricity use by consumer electronic products is responsible for more than 25% of household electricity use. Home electronic products use energy when they’re off to power features like clock displays and remote controls. I would look for Energy Star related TV’s and other electronics. They use as much as 60% less energy to perform these functions, while providing the same performance at the same price as less-efficient models. Less energy means you pay less on your energy bill.

Let me give you another statistic where simple actions can make a big difference. The average home has roughly two TVs, a VCR, a DVD player and three telephones. If these items were replaced with Energy Star models, it would save over 25 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent to taking over 3 million cars off the road.

Now, if your two televisions are your pride and joy there is not much you can do. However if you are in the market for new televisions choose LCD over plasma. On average, LCDs consume less power than plasma screens. CRTs and rear-projection TVs can be even more energy efficient.

For your audio distribution I would consider utilizing class D amplification for the following reasons:

-Reduction in size and weight of the amplifier
-Reduced power waste as heat dissipation
-Reduction in cost due to smaller heat sink and compact circuitry
-Very high power conversion efficiency, usually ≥ 90%

You will see a big impact if you purchase an overall control system that incorporates lighting, shade and/or temperature control. If you dimmed your lights 25% you will notice a 20% in your energy consumption. As well, you will save the life of your bulbs. Utilizing motorized shading can reduce summer heat gain by up to 78% and winter heat loss up to 84% depending on the systems used.

While there is technology out there to help ease your guilt, it is your lifestyle and how you choose to live it, that will truly make the impact you desire.

About the Author:
John Baumeister - President, Baumeister Electronic Architects

As a renowned industry expert, John Baumeister has been educating Chicago's leading architects and designers on lifestyle technologies for years. His mantra of providing world-class service for world-class clients has empowered Baumeister to become the area's most trusted system integrator.