Samsung and LG Computer Monitors Win SEAD Global Efficiency Medals for Energy Efficiency

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Super-efficient Equipment and Appliance Deployment (SEAD) Initiative, an international collaboration of 16 member economies and an initiative under the Clean Energy Ministerial, today announced the winners of its Global Efficiency Medal competition for the world's most energy-efficient computer monitors.

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The international competition tested the energy efficiency of commercially available monitors in three size categories, as well as one prototype monitor in the emerging technology category. With energy savings of 12 to 43% over computer monitors with comparable technology, Samsung and LG products took top honors in the commercially available categories. A Samsung display also won in the emerging technology category with a monitor 53% more efficient than comparable monitors on the market today.

The competition identifies the most energy-efficient monitors on the market around the world. By recognizing the top performers, the competition will help consumers make informed purchasing decisions and spur manufacturers to produce and sell more energy-efficient products. "When consumers and businesses use these products they are helping to reduce energy use on a global scale, while saving money," said Graham Pugh of the U.S. Department of Energy, whose office is responsible for U.S. leadership of the SEAD initiative.

Computer monitors can account for up to 35% of a desktop computer's energy consumption. If all monitors sold were as efficient as the SEAD award-winning models, 15 to 20 billion kilowatt-hours of energy could be saved by 2020 – enough to power Washington, DC for nearly a year and a half.

The following global winners were recognized for using the least amount of electricity across the four competition regions:

SEAD Global Winners

• The LG 16EN33SA received the SEAD Global Efficiency Medal in the small-size category (15 inches to less than 20 inches, 1.04 megapixel minimum resolution). It is a 15.5-inch LCD display with LED backlight.
• The Samsung S22C200B received the SEAD Global Efficiency Medal in the medium-size category (20 inches to less than 23 inches, 1.44 megapixel minimum resolution). It features a 21.5 inch display, LED backlighting, and a slim design.
• The Samsung S27C450B received the SEAD Global Efficiency Medal in the large-size category (23 inches and larger, 2.07 megapixel minimum resolution). The 27-inch, LED-backlit computer monitor features a narrow-bezel design.

Global Emerging Technology Winner

• A Samsung 23.6-inch LED backlit prototype computer monitor (product number S24XXXX) won the SEAD Global Efficiency Medal in the emerging technology category. This monitor is 53% more efficient than comparable displays available on the market today. It will be commercially available worldwide within the next two years.

SEAD will recognize this year's Global Efficiency Medal winners at an awards ceremony in May 2014 at the Fifth Clean Energy Ministerial in Seoul, Korea.

SEAD also recognized regional winners. In North America, the most energy-efficient computer monitors commercially available are:

• Small-size category: The Acer V196HQL, which features an 18.5-inch display with LED backlight.
• Medium-size category: The Samsung S22C200B, which was also honored as a global winner.
• Large-size category: The Samsung S27C450B, which was also honored as a global winner.

Regional winning computer monitors demonstrated the greatest energy efficiency in four competition regions (Australia, Europe, India and North America). Entries were nominated by manufacturers and resellers of commercially available display monitors, and included emerging technology products not yet on the market.

This is the second SEAD Global Efficiency Medal competition. The first competition recognized the world's most energy-efficient flat-screen televisions. That competition spurred the implementation of two promotional incentives in the United States to encourage the purchase of SEAD award-winning televisions and increase awareness of energy efficiency. The SEAD Global Efficiency Medal competition for motors is currently underway with nominations accepted through 29 November 2013.

The SEAD Global Efficiency Medal competition is the only international awards program that identifies the most energy-efficient, top-performing equipment, appliances and electronics demonstrating reduced electricity use. The competition encourages manufacturers to develop innovative products that set higher energy-saving standards for the marketplace and encourages consumer adoption of top performing models.

For more information about the SEAD Global Efficiency Medal competition for computer monitors, visit http://www.superefficient.org/displayawards.

About SEAD
SEAD is an initiative of the Clean Energy Ministerial and a task within the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation. CLASP serves as the administrator for the Global Efficiency Medals competition. For more information, visit http://www.superefficient.org/.

SOURCE CLASP