A Decade of Australian Store
Surveys
Measuring Standby Power 2001-2011
December 2011
A joint initiative of Australian, State and Territory
and New Zealand Governments.
© Commonwealth of Australia 2011
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This Report is available at
www.energyrating.gov.au
This document was prepared by:
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A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001-2011
2
Contents
CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................................................... 3
OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................................................ 5
CONTEXT .................................................................................................................................................................. 7
The birth of the store survey ......................................................................................................................................... 7
A BRIEF HISTORY OF AUSTRALIAN STORE SURVEYS ...................................................................................... 8
The journey so far .......................................................................................................................................................... 8
Status in 2011 ............................................................................................................................................................... 10
STORE SURVEYS – THE FUTURE ........................................................................................................................ 13
1
Store Surveys to inform the government of regulation impacts ...................................................................... 13
2
Store surveys to identify industry sectors struggling to meet the 1Watt target .............................................. 13
3
Store surveys to screen for non-compliant product ......................................................................................... 14
4
Store surveys as a means of measuring network standby ................................................................................ 14
APPENDIX A ........................................................................................................................................................... 16
Store survey methodology ........................................................................................................................................... 16
Quick Start Guide ..................................................................................................................................................... 16
Measurement guide ......................................................................................................................................................17
1. General Guidance ..................................................................................................................................................17
2. Test Methodology (automated Wattman and manual data logging) .................................................................17
Definition of standby modes ....................................................................................................................................... 18
APPENDIX B ........................................................................................................................................................... 19
APPENDIX C ........................................................................................................................................................... 20
Product categories measured from 2001-2011...........................................................................................................20
APPENDIX D ........................................................................................................................................................... 21
APPENDIX E ........................................................................................................................................................... 23
Accessing store survey data ......................................................................................................................................... 23
Australian Store Surveys ......................................................................................................................................... 23
APP International Store Survey data ...................................................................................................................... 23
SELINA – European Store Survey Results ............................................................................................................. 23
REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................................ 24
A DECADE OF AUSTRALIAN STORE SURVEYS ................................................................................................ 25
WWW.ENERGYRATING.GOV.AU .......................................................................................................................... 25
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001 - 2011
3
LIST OF TABLES
Number of products measured and key findings 2001-2011 ........................................................................................ 19
Percentage of Products Meeting proposed regulations in passive standby mode ....................................................... 21
Percentage of Products Meeting proposed regulations in off mode ............................................................................. 22
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 – International comparison of microwave ovens in passive standby 2007/08 ............................................... 9
Figure 2 – 2001 - 2010/11 Average consumption across all products: passive standby and off mode ....................... 10
Figure 3 – 2001 Distribution for all products: passive standby mode .......................................................................... 11
Figure 4 – 2010/11 Distribution for all products: passive standby mode ..................................................................... 11
Figure 5 – Average consumption across all products: active standby mode (2001 – 2011) ........................................ 12
Figure 6 – Basic kit suggested for all “In Store” product testing .................................................................................. 16
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001-2011
4
Overview
Good public policy is based on reliable information. A decade of Australian store surveys has delivered bountiful
data, informing policy decisions in the standby power area and contributing to the government strategy of
achieving a 1 Watt standby power target by 2012. Ten years has passed since the first standby power store survey
was conducted. Store surveys (or more accurately measuring the low power modes of products offered for sale in
retail stores) have been part of a multi-pronged approach to address excessive standby power consumption used by
household appliances.
This report provides information on standby power trends over that decade, an appraisal of what has been
achieved and a proposal for the utilization of store surveys as a future monitoring and compliance tool in the future
in Australia.
Standby power is the energy consumed by an appliance while it is not performing its primary function. Intrusive
residential surveys have shown that electrical appliances and other electronic products with standby modes
account for around 11.6% of the energy consumed in Australian households. This residential energy consumption
figure has remained constant despite the proliferation of electronic products in our homes over this decade.
Since 2001, Australia has conducted annual surveys of products offered for sale in stores, measuring active and the
low power modes, as part of the monitoring process agreed under Australia’s Standby Power Strategy 2002 to
2012. This independent verification process has:
• Become a cheap and efficient way to measure the standby power used by electronic products;
• Provided an easy verification of supplier standby claims; and
• Generated baseline and trend data for a large range of products.
This data collection is crucial in evaluating the success or otherwise of policies encouraging an improvement in
standby power consumption.
The store survey data has been used to measure progress toward meeting the government‟s standby power
reduction targets and to evaluating electronic products‟ progress toward meeting the Australian Government‟s 1
Watt standby power target, as outlined as long ago as in the 2002 Ministerial Council of Energy (MCE) report
“Money isn’t all you’re saving”.
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001 - 2011
5
This report also advocates a change to the form of future store surveys. The survey data has always been collected
with no government regulation of products in standby power modes. It was done to check progress but should
Ministers agree to act on their decade long commitment to 1 Watt, the store survey can evolve to meet the needs of
future policy. With government agencies working towards the potential regulation of standby power limits
commencing sometime in late 2013, continuation of the store surveys will be a vital component in monitoring the
impact of the proposed regulations and for gaining understanding of how different product types are responding to
them. The data collected via the store surveys will also be very valuable for compliance purposes.
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001-2011
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Context
The birth of the store survey
The original standby power store survey was conducted in Australia in 2000 as part of the report, Quantification of
Residential Standby Power Consumption in Australia (Energy Efficient Strategies (EES) and EnergyConsult,
2001). This study commissioned by the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO) and the National Appliance &
Equipment Energy Efficiency Committee1 (NAEEEC) took measurements of 2,500 appliances in homes, 531 new
appliances in retail outlets and conducted a telephone survey of 801 households across Australia. The research
concluded that around 11.6% of Australia‟s household electricity consumption was attributed to standby power,
generating more than 5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum (EES 2006).
The study provided an accurate estimation of the extent of standby power consumption in Australian households
and revealed the need for ongoing data collection to monitor the trends in standby consumption of new appliances.
At this time very little was known about standby power with only a limited number of research projects taking
measurements. Having developed the store survey tool, as part of the study it was realized the collecting of
standby power measurements of new appliances‟ on sale in retail outlets provided a cost effective and accurate
method for gathering data. While clearly not as precise and repeatable as lab testing, the store survey was able to
supply large amounts of reliable data for much lower costs.
The results of the 2001 report were supported by other international studies and this prompted the development of
the Australian Government strategy to combat standby power. In 2002 the MCE launched its ten year strategy
“Money isn’t all you’re saving” Australia‟s Standby Power Strategy 2002 - 2012. Central to this strategy is the
pursuit of the „one-Watt‟ target (relating to passive standby and off mode electricity consumption), with the goal of
all appliances using one Watt or less in their lowest mode by 2012. The MCE strategy championed the
International Energy Agency‟s (IEA) one-Watt goal, providing a long term approach to address excessive standby
energy consumption and proposing a range of possible policy measures both voluntary and mandatory. The MCE
strategy identified annual store surveys as one of the key voluntary measures to address excessive standby
consumption. The key objectives of store surveys identified in the MCE strategy are to:
• Quantify the magnitude and range of electricity used in standby mode of new appliances and equipment offered
for sale in the Australian market; and
• Compare the annual results within each product group in order to track the industry‟s progress in reducing
standby power consumption.
From this point on the Australian standby power store survey became an annual fixture with measurements being
taken in a variety of retail outlets both small and large, encompassing bulk discount stores and specialty retailers
alike.
1
The National Appliance and Equipment Energy Efficiency Committee (NAEEEC) was changed to the Equipment Energy
Efficiency (E3) Committee in early 2006
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001 - 2011
7
A Brief History of Australian Store Surveys
The journey so far
Store surveys take a representative sample of
electrical products in-situ in retail outlets and
measure their energy consumption in a range of
modes including “in use”, “passive and/or active
standby” and “off mode”. The sample is attained by
systematically measuring all models from chosen
product categories that are on display in the stores,
with a target of at least 20 models. Each model is
plugged into a power meter capable of accurately
measuring low power modes. (Australian surveys
have over the decade used a combination of
Yokogowa, Spar and AD Wattman meters)
Consumption in the various modes is recorded for
each product and this data is sent to manufacturers
and/or suppliers to be verified. The data is then
analysed and compared with data collected from
previous surveys. A more detailed methodology of
how store surveys are conducted and definitions of
the power modes measured, is included in
Appendix A.
The store survey tool was first developed in Australia
in 2000 and has been used to conduct surveys every
year since. More than 8600 products have been
measured to date collecting baseline and trend data
for over 40 product types. Over the years the
responsive and adaptable nature of the store survey
has been evident, providing the ability to adjust the
survey to the rapidly changing electrical appliance
market. As store surveys are conducted by taking an
opportunistic sample of what is available in electrical
retail outlets, they have proven useful in identifying
new products or products with declining consumer
appeal in the Australian market. Additionally, the
survey has been able to pick up trends and adapt
testing regimes to account for new features and
functions and evolving products.
After the initial store survey, follow-up surveys in
retail outlets, in 2002 and 2003 measured over 1200
new appliances. This data showed a large proportion
of products consumed more than 1 Watt in standby
and off modes. These three early store surveys
provided benchmarking data and were the
foundation for a longer term program to assess the
industry progress towards the government‟s 1 Watt
target, providing a trend tracking tool to aid policy
decisions and regulation.
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001 - 2011
8
In 2003 the data gathered in the store surveys was also targeted to assist in the development of product profiles –
discussion papers which looked at approaches to reducing standby power in a range of different products. These
profiles played a valuable role in the development of government standby policy, assessing appropriate interim
targets for individual products and identifying priority products where there was a need to investigate possible
regulation. In late 2003 the store survey regime changed from annual to bi-annual surveys to capture seasonal
products such as air conditioners and heaters.
The data collected from 2003 noted a major shift in home entertainment appliances with the advent of new
appliances such as DVD players, Home theatre systems, plasma televisions and subwoofers. Many of the product
types measured in previous surveys such as separate stereo components had become increasingly obsolete and
were replaced by DVD technology. This also manifested in an increase in the prevalence of remote controls to
operate products and the rapid decline in “off” switches which became almost obsolete. In more recent years
surveys have reported the prevalence of new appliance categories such as digital photo frames, wireless speakers
and TV – Projectors. Appendix C lists the product categories tested over the period 2001-2011.
In the 2003/04 store survey “delay start mode” was measured for the first time. Delay start allows the appliance to
be programmed to begin functioning at a later time; in some cases up to 24 hours later. It was noted that this
feature was fast becoming common place on many major appliances (white goods). Appliances left in this mode
are in neither active nor passive standby and therefore it was decided to measure this mode as a separate category.
The EES 2005 intrusive survey had reported that between 20 to 25% of consumers used this function when it is
available.
The recording of the presence of an Energy Rating label or an ENERGY STAR label on appliances began with the
2005/06 store survey. Products displaying an ENERGY STAR label were cross examined to reveal if the ENERGY
STAR requirements for that product type were met, thereby demonstrating the store surveys capability to act as a
pre compliance tool.
In 2007 the store survey became international with the establishment of the Asia Pacific Partnership (APP) Basket
of Products project. The project was further expanded in 2009 with the methodology being agreed to by both the
4E standby power annex and the Energy Europe SELINA project. The internationalisation of the survey meant
that the Australian data could now be compared with that in other countries. These results were able to
understand whether products sold in the Australian market were achieving the same levels of standby
consumption as other countries and whether policy interventions may be required to attract the best available
technology. An example of the comparison information available from the program is shown in Figure 1. Under
the data sharing agreement brokered between the 3 international groups Australia now has access to store survey
information for almost 10,000 products. This is in addition to the 8600 products Australia has contributed to the
pool.
Figure 1 – International comparison of microwave ovens in passive standby 2007/08
Key to box and whiskers chart: Box represents 75% of measurements, Whiskers represent the
distribution (min to max), Red diamond represents average consumption and centre line indicates
the median (50% above/below).
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001-2011
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Appendix B provides a summary of the key findings of the surveys over the past decade.
Status in 2011
The most recent store survey was conducted in March 2011 allowing a decade of results to be analysed in terms of
trends for individual products and overall progress towards the 1 Watt target. Figure 2 plots average passive
standby for all products measured since 2001, demonstrating a continuous decrease in passive standby over time.
The average consumption across all appliances has dropped from 5.7 Watts in 2001 to 1.1 Watts in 2011. The
average off mode consumption trend has not been as consistent as that for passive standby mode. While the
results have averaged below one Watt for the past 3 years, an improvement on the 1.2 Watt average recorded in
2001, there is still some work to be if the proposed target of 0.5 Watts in off mode is to be reached.
Figure 2 – 2001 - 2010/11 Average consumption across all products: passive standby and off mode
These results provide a positive illustration of decreasing standby power consumption and indeed when comparing
the distribution of consumption in 2001 to 2010/11 the shift is obvious (see Figure 3 & Figure 4). However, also
obvious is that the range of consumption remains largely unchanged with the highest consuming models still using
more than 10 Watts in passive standby. This wide variance in power consumption without any apparent difference
in performance or functionality between the different models or large differences in price of the products, suggests
that there are still considerable opportunities for manufacturers to reduce standby power consumption, possibly at
low marginal cost. This is demonstrated by DVD players where 69% meet the regulations proposed for passive
standby, yet 8% still consume greater than 5 Watts in this mode. Another example is Subwoofers, where in off
mode most models (57%) consume less than 0.5 Watts, yet nearly 15% consume greater than 9 Watts. With nearly
a quarter of products still using more than 1 Watt it would seem that there remains a need for regulation to limit
the amount of energy wasted in standby and off modes.
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001-2011
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Figure 3 – 2001 Distribution for all products: passive standby mode
Figure 4 – 2010/11 Distribution for all products: passive standby mode
Australia has announced its intention to introduce standby power regulations2 in line with the 2013 levels
announced by the European Commission. This regulation requires products in off mode and passive standby to
consume less than 0.5 Watt. If in passive standby the product has a purposeful display, it would need to consume
less than 1 Watt. Store survey results indicate that ten years after the 1 Watt campaign began, at least 25% of
models currently on sale would not meet proposed standby regulation criterion (see Appendix D). Notably ten
E3 2006, Order out of Chaos – summary paper for the international standby power conference, Canberra, Australia, 6-7 November
2006. Paper available at www.energyrating.gov.au/products-themes/standby-power/documents-and-publications
2
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001-2011
11
products types have 60% or more of models currently not meeting the proposed regulations (microwave ovens,
CRT televisions, DVD recorders, hard disk recorders, portable DVD players, subwoofers, portable stereos, washing
machines, computer speakers and desktop computers). Significantly some product types are still consuming more
than 8 Watts in passive standby - namely hard disk recorders, subwoofers and integrated stereos.
Average active standby (sometimes referred to as idle mode) has also decreased over the decade from 13.2 Watts in
2001 to 9.6 Watts in 2011. This reduction has occurred even though substantially more products now have an idle
mode than when the survey began in 2001. White goods in 2001 predominately just had on or off mode. The
explosion of home entertainment products since that time has also seen an increase in active standby. These active
mode results are a reminder that while the reduction in passive standby we have seen over the decade of the survey
is commendable, these gains are of little use if the products sit in idle mode, never entering the passive standby
state. When tackling standby power, consideration needs to be given to reducing the time products spend in active
standby power mode if the gains made from lower passive standby and off mode consumption are to be optimised.
For example espresso machines have a decreasing off mode consumption with 92% of machines now below 0.5W.
However, if consumers are leaving the machines in active standby they will be consuming large amounts of energy,
yet simple technological solutions are available to ensure products return to passive standby mode. The need for
power management – where products are set up to switch to the lowest possible power mode after a certain time has not diminished with the decrease in active standby.
Figure 5 – Average consumption across all products: active standby mode (2001 – 2011)
Note: 2006/07 result reflects a sample bias toward home entertainment products particularly AV receivers (over
40 models measured).
After a decade of monitoring standby power and off modes via store surveys the results demonstrate that while
there has been a steady decline in standby power, there is still much work to be done to achieve the 1 Watt target,
particularly if the Australian Regulations are based on the EU approach. The store surveys have addressed the
objectives outlined in the MCE strategy of quantifying the magnitude and range of electricity used in standby mode
of new appliances and equipment offered for sale in the Australian market (with around 8600 measurements to
date and another 10 000 internationally3). The store surveys have provided the opportunity to compare these
annual results within each product group in order to track the industry‟s progress in reducing standby power
consumption. This data has informed the development of policy via product profiles and in the development of
standby requirements for a number of products under their energy labelling and Minimum Energy Performance
Standards MEPS schemes. Ten years of monitoring the results clearly indicate that while significant improvement
has occurred, some form of regulation will be required to deal with those products not currently meeting the 1 Watt
target.
3
Appendix E provides details on how to access Australian and international store survey data.
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001-2011
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Store Surveys – the future
After a decade of Australian store surveys, the large amount of data collected for such a wide range of products has
enabled the survey to achieve the original goals. The early surveys established a baseline, quantifying the standby
consumption of products, while the following surveys established trend lines for over forty product types. These
have allowed the success of manufacturers to reduce consumption in low power modes to be monitored and
provided valuable information for the development of government policy and regulation.
The demonstrated success of the store survey makes it an obvious candidate for a new role in the standby power
field. The proposed new regulations for standby power will not require products to be registered and therefore will
not generate an automatic database to assess the performance of products against the regulatory requirements.
Store surveys are an adaptive and cost effective research tool which could be used in a broad or targeted manner to
provide the necessary data. Store surveys could play a crucial role in the implementation of the standby
regulations and assist in the compliance, monitoring and enforcement of them.
To maximise the impact of the current policy solutions and proposed regulations store surveys could be utilised in
a number of ways including: informing the government of the impact the regulations are having on the markets;
identifying industry sectors at risk of having many products unable to meet the 1 Watt target; undertaking
screening to select products for more costly and onerous test house measurement in a regulated environment post
2013 and potentially to measure energy wasted by network connected products.
1
Store Surveys to inform the government of regulation impacts
Continuing to conduct the store survey using the current methodology would allow the impacts of the proposed
regulations to be monitored for a broad range of regulated markets. Surveys measuring standby energy
consumption of an opportunistic sample of products available in electrical retail outlets would provide valuable
data on how the regulations are impacting the Australian market. Further, this sort of market monitoring will be
the only way of gathering data which might be required for any possible future increase in stringency of standby
requirements for some or all products. As technology develops store surveys can quickly demonstrate a change in
energy consumption patterns for a product group. In the absence of registration data, store surveys are vital in
monitoring the regulated markets.
2 Store surveys to identify industry sectors struggling to meet the 1Watt
target
The data collected in store surveys over the past ten years has identified some product types where a high
proportion of models are not meeting the proposed regulation. For example, 70% of hard disk recorder models
tested in stores would not currently comply. This recurring high percentage of non-compliant products may
indicate a sector which will struggle to comply with the 2013 regulation. The survey could help identify problem
product sectors warranting dialogue with suppliers about their capacity to comply by 2013. The store surveys can
therefore be used to identify particular product categories where trend data indicates real issues may exist,
preventing compliance with the proposed regulatory levels.
For products found to be in this category, a starting point may involve notifying manufacturers of the proposed
standby regulations and holding a public consultation forum to discuss the way forward. Possible solutions may
include product specific regulation to take into account specific issues/features of the products that are preventing
reduction of consumption in standby and off modes or developing an industry specific strategy to achieve the
targets. Following such consultation, future store surveys could be used to monitor the industries progress toward
reaching targets, by specifically focussing on measuring these product types. The overall results could be
communicated to the industry as a whole, with individual suppliers made aware of which of their models were
found to be non-compliant. In this way government, industry groups and individual manufacturers can work
together to reduce energy waste.
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001 - 2011
13
3
Store surveys to screen for non-compliant product
Once standby power regulation is implemented, regulatory agencies will have statutory responsibilities to
undertake monitoring, verification and enforcement processes. These actions help ensure the desired reduction in
standby power is achieved. Store surveys of new products entering the market provide cost effective screening of
low power mode levels and could be used as the first step in a compliance testing regime. Store measurements
have some limitations with respect to accuracy and detection of temporary and automatic modes; however, they
could identify products which should be investigated further in a laboratory. This would avoid expensive external
facility testing for all products in favour of screening products to better target products in danger of not meeting
the proposed regulatory levels. Even if initial store surveys identify “false problems”, these can be verified in the
controlled conditions of laboratory testing well before any supplier is accused unfairly of not meeting the
regulatory requirements. Store surveys would rarely understate the power levels (so the chances of missing noncompliant products are small). Store surveys also have the added benefit of providing an understanding of new
product types that appear over time and identifying any potential gaps in regulatory cover.
The current store survey methodology could easily be migrated into a pre-test for compliance programmes to
assess which product types, models and or brands warrant further investigation via a laboratory test procedure.
For example a compliance methodology might include the following steps:
Step 1: Identify products:
The first step in a compliance store survey would be to identify product types likely to have models not meeting
regulation. Using previous studies and industry information (such as sales data) these would be targeted in retail
stores. Products that historically had a wide variance in power consumption would be targeted. For example, 69%
of DVD Players meet the regulations proposed for passive standby, yet 8% still consume greater than 5 Watts in
this mode.
Step 2: Survey the stores
Using the existing store survey methodology take a sweep of the stores focussing on the products identified in
step 1.
Step 3: (prior to regulation) Inform manufacturers of results
At the end of the testing process, manufacturers/suppliers will be notified if any of their products are found not to
meet the proposed legislation. The letter will inform them legislation is imminent and that in a pre-test their
product had been found to be non-compliant.
Step 4: (post regulation) Send products for testing
Once regulation has been introduced, Step 3 could continue to be used for products measured to be only
marginally over the regulation levels, giving manufacturers the opportunity to correct the issues. For products
over the targets by a substantial amount the product could be purchased on the spot during the store survey and
forwarded to a testing house for a complete laboratory compliance test.
4
Store surveys as a means of measuring network standby
Network Standby refers to the energy consumed when a product stays connected to a network, even though no
primary function is being performed. Examples of this type of product include: modems, routers, media centres,
home entertainment equipment, etc. More and more products are gaining network capability with predictions
suggesting that in the future nearly all appliances will have some networking capability. According to the EES
2010 report, Third Survey of Residential Standby Power Consumption of Australian Homes, a rapid increase in
the number of network-connected products is already occurring. Home office and home entertainment products
now equate to over two thirds of standby power consumption and the majority of these products are already
network-capable. It is essential to devise new technologies and policies that can inhibit the associated growth in
wasted network-connected energy. Many of the existing policy approaches for reducing standby power rely on
setting a flat limit on power consumption for particular modes. Often the presence of a network connection causes
products to remain in higher energy modes than those currently regulated, reducing the impact and effect of these
policies. This flow on impact of network connection increases the urgency with which the issue of wasted network
connected power needs to be addressed.
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001-2011
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In 2001, when the store survey began, there had been very little data collection relating to standby power. Now in
2011 the situation is the same for network standby data. Currently, the store survey has been unable to measure
products connected to the network. Research being undertaken in Europe, however, is attempting to develop a
tool which can improvise the network connection in stores. If the development of this tool is successful then store
surveys could again play a key role in gaining the first insights into how much energy is consumed by new products
in network standby.
The Australian Government has a history of supporting innovative policy intervention in this field. With the
experience built up over time in store survey operations, it would seem sensible to explore participating in any
international endeavour to measure networked product standby power.
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001-2011
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Appendix A
Store survey methodology
Retail outlets volunteer to participate in store surveys. The products are measured on the shop floor in full view of
staff and customers. Only products on display are tested. Products are not removed from their packaging.
Extract from the store survey manual “Appliance Instructions V1.7”
Quick Start Guide
This quick start guide is to be used with the Standby Data Recording Sheet spreadsheet.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
All available products should be systematically plugged into the meter.
If not using the automated Wattman meter system take a reading for voltage and record in spreadsheet
when the meter is first plugged in. Repeat this each time the meter is relocated.
Allocate unique item number in the Spreadsheet and enter month, year and location of survey
Select Appliance from drop down list. This will then auto fill the Category field and display which fields
are required to be completed.
Enter the required data in the unshaded fields or pull down values, using the detailed appliance sheets as a
guide. If the data is not available in the store or not required for a particular appliance leave the field
blank.
Activate the automated Wattman system or manually record power consumption data as indicated in the
spread sheet
If a model has been tested previously do not retest
Repeat Steps 3 to 6 for each product.
Basic Equipment
Figure 6 – Basic kit suggested for all “In Store” product testing
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001 - 2011
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Measurement guide
1. General Guidance
This Measurement guide is to be used with the Standby Data Recording Sheet
It is recommended that the measurement procedure is based on the automatic PC logging xls macro, associated
with that xls File. The automatic logging macro has been developed by IT Energy SELINA partners specifically for
the Wattman power meter recommended to be used in all testing. Manual input from other appropriate meters is
also possible.
To increase the longevity of your Wattman meter it is recommended that an adaptor or lead is used so that the
meter socket is not put under duress from the constant plugging and unplugging required in the store
measurement process.
Manual (paper) logging is not recommended but if it is adopted, to avoid the use of a PC at the “shop floor”, it is
recommended that the measurement parameter layout of the spreadsheet is duplicated in the paper recording
tables used.
Detailed guidance for product specific measurements and related information requirements are already
incorporated into the spreadsheet and are shown automatically when an appliance type is selected.
2. Test Methodology (automated Wattman and manual data logging)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
The basic test kit shown in Fig.1 should ideally be transportable for efficient movement around the “shop
floor” (e.g. mount it in a shopping trolley) Where available, use a mains extension cable drum to access an
AC power source for the test kit, on a different power circuit to the power source driving products on
display (e.g. a cleaners power source) This may help to reduce errors in very low standby power
measurements (< 0.5W.) caused by harmonic distortion of the mains supply.
Before commencing any test sequence, after assembly of the test rig, test the “Residual Current Circuit
Breaker” by pressing the “test” button to ensure safe detection of any potential electric shock hazards. On
operation of the test button confirm that the power to the Wattman Meter is CUT OFF.
At the start of a testing sequence for a group of products, measure and record the power requirement of a
“Reference Load” (ideally around 1W standby) and use this load throughout all subsequent product testing
sequences. A small external power supply is ideal for this purpose. Identify the measurement as “Ref.”.
Each product to be tested should then be separately plugged into the meter and relevant data recorded.
Repeat the reference load measurement whenever the test-rig is dismantled and re-assembled at another
location in the test premises. The power requirement of the load should be the same at each location.
Allocate a unique item number in the Spreadsheet and enter the month, year and location of the survey at
the start of each test period.
For the automated Wattman. Select the Appliance from the drop down list. This will then automatically
fill the Category field and display which fields are required to be completed. Enter the required data in the
unshaded field. If the required data is not available from appliance guidance information or in the store
leave the field blank
Ensure that the product under test is off or in standby mode. Connect the product under test (only) to the
Wattman meter power outlet. A short extension plug and socket is recommended for this to allow easy
access to the product mains connection lead and to save wear on the Wattman outlet socket caused by
repeated plugging.
Select W display mode using the “Display” toggle button on the meter (see Fig.1)
If, in the product mode to be measured, the displayed W. value is stable, use the default 1 minute sampling
period in the spreadsheet., or sample for a measured minute manually. For very unstable W. readings, or
readings varying significantly in a long repeated cycle (over 30 seconds) use a minimum of 10 minutes
sampling period. (enter a duration of more than 1 minute in the “measure time in minutes” field of the xls)
Click “measure” field on the spreadsheet and note the value automatically recorded in the selected field.
Voltage V. and power factor PF. should also be recorded automatically. The W value recorded should be
close to the rough average observed on the Wattman meter during the measurement period.
For manual measurements follow the duration of measurement advice in 8. above. Select Wh. display
mode using the “Display” toggle button on the meter. Ensure the displayed Wh. Value is 00.00. If it is not
press the “Wh. Clr.” button until 00.00 is displayed. Press the “Wh. run/stop” button and start a stop
watch simultaneously. At the end of the required measurement period press the “Wh. run/stop” button
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001-2011
17
again. Note the Wh. value and the measurement period. Using the “Display” button select “PF” mode and
note the PF value. Note the voltage.
Additional Test Methodology Notes:
• Stores often don‟t have remote controls available for products on display so it may be useful to take along a
universal remote control to allow measurement of passive standby.
• Where there are two very different possible stable readings for a standby mode enter the lower reading in the
field and record the higher reading in the “Delay start or Other Mode” and explain in the notes. e.g. Download
mode for a TV may be 4W-8W higher than standby mode and persist for up to 10 minutes after the TV has been
put into standby.
• Consumer electronic products with internal (removable) batteries that can operate from the mains supply,
should be tested with the batteries removed. For product that can‟t operate from the mains supply with the
batteries removed (e.g. cordless phone) where it is convenient to do so they should be replaced by high power
fully charged batteries of equivalent form factor and the product tested in active standby connected to its
external power supply. When testing these products the state of the batteries should be described in the notes
field.
Definition of standby modes
Appliances and equipment with a standby mode may include any product that consumes power while not
performing its primary function. A simple definition of standby is when an appliance is at its lowest power
consumption when connected to mains power, even if the appliance is turned off (lowest power mode that can be
influenced by the user). However, standby is better defined under various modes and for the purpose of the store
survey the following definitions were used:
Power – In Use (on): The power used by the product when performing its primary function.
Power – Active standby: Active standby is when the appliance is on, but not performing its main function. For
example, the DVD may be on, but is not playing or recording. This mode is usually only present in devices (a)
where there is a mechanical function which is not active (e.g. DVD drive or motor) but where power circuits are on,
or (b) where a device has a battery and the device is charging.
Power – Passive standby: When a product or appliance is not performing its main function (sleeping) but it is
ready to be switched on (in most cases with a remote control) or is performing some secondary function (e.g. has a
display or clock which is active in this mode). This mode also applies to power supplies for battery operated
equipment (portable appliances which are intended to be used when disconnected from the base station) when the
appliance is not being charged (disconnected).
Power – Off: The product must have a power switch located on the product. Off mode is when a product or
appliance is connected to a power source, but does not produce any sound or picture, transmit or receive
information or is waiting to be switched on by the consumer. If the product has a remote control, it cannot be
woken by the remote control from off mode – it can only be activated via the power switch on the product. No
display should be active in off mode. While the product may be doing some internal functions in off mode (e.g.
memory functions, EMC filters) these are not obvious to the user. An LED may be present to indicate off mode.
Delay Start: Delay start is becoming common place on many major appliances. Essentially the appliance can be
programmed to begin functioning at a later time; in some cases up to 24 hours later. Appliances left in this mode
are in neither active nor passive standby and therefore this mode is measured as a separate category. (Note this is
different to sleep mode where the timer is used to stop in use operation after a set period)
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001-2011
18
Appendix B
Number of products measured and key findings 2001-2011
Survey Year
2001
No. of
Products
Measured
531
Key Findings

Large proportion of products consuming >1W in standby and off modes.
Averages of all
appliances
Off – 1.3W
Passive – 5.8 W
Active – 11.6 W
2002
633

Slight decrease in standby power overall;
Off – 0.8W
Passive – 4.1W
Active – 11.2W
2003
2003/2004
2004/2005
570
1427
1338

Significant decline in active & passive standby

Major shift in home entertainment appliance – emergence of new
appliances such as DVD, DVD/VCR, plasma TVs

Profusion of remote controls rendering “off‟ controls almost obsolete.

Wide variance in off and passive standby mode of products with same
functionality suggesting opportunities for manufacturers to reduce
standby power consumption in these modes
Off – 0.9W
Passive – 3.4W
Active – 8.3W
Off – 0.8
Passive – 3.6
Active – 14.3

Products targeted to assist with product profile and policy development

The significant decline in passive standby appeared to have stabilised;
Off – 0.7W

Increase in proportion of appliances consuming less than 1W in passive;
Passive – 3.7W

Delay start now common on major appliances.
Active – 15.7W
Delay start – 4.1
Delay start – 3.5
2005/2006
977

All standby modes appear to be stable
Off – 1.1

Proportion of appliances with active standby power continues to increase;
Passive – 3.9W

Most products more than 20W in active standby
Active – 14.7W
Delay Start – 4.1W
2006/2007
723

Results indicated that there is an opportunity for many appliances to
decrease energy use in standby and off.
Off – 0.5W
Passive- 3.2W
Active – 19.0W
2007/2008
636

Average passive standby falls below 3W
Off – 1.1W

APP study begins.
Passive – 2.6W
Active – 12.7W
2008/2009
517

Early outcomes report for APP showing international comparisons
Off – 0.7W

Store survey tool used in Europe for first time.
Passive – 2.4W

International comparative studies reported on.
Active – 14.7W
2009/2010
632
Off – 0.6W
Passive - 1.7
Active – 9.2
2010/2011
693

Passive standby has continued to decrease over time.

The vast majority of product types, at least 25% of models currently on
sale not meeting proposed standby regulation.
Off – 0.8W

Ten products types had 60% or more of models not meeting proposed
regulations
Active – 9.6
Passive -1.1 W
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001 - 2011
19
Appendix C
Product categories measured from 2001-2011
Air Conditioner
Heater - Gas
AV Receiver
Home Entertainment Other
Breadmaker
Home Theatre System
Computers - Desktop
Juicer
Computers - Home Theatre Box
Microwave
Computers - Laptop
Multi Function Device
Computers - Monitor
Oven
Computers - other accessories
Printer - Inkjet
Computers - Speakers
Printer - Laser
Cook top
Projector
Cordless Phone Base Station
Range Hood
Digital photo frame
Set Top Box
Dishwasher
Shredder
Dryer
Stereo - Integrated
DVD Player
Stereo - Portable
DVD Player - Portable
Stove
DVD Recorder
Subwoofer
Espresso Machine
Toaster
External Power Supplies
TV - CRT
Facsimile
TV - LCD
Fan
TV - Plasma
Game Console
TV - Projection
Gas Water Heaters
TV/VCR/DVD
Hand - held vac
VCR
Hard Disk Recorder
Washing Machine Front Loader
Hard Disk Recorder
Washing Machine Top Loader
Heater - Electric portable
Wireless Speakers
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001 - 2011
20
Appendix D
Percentage of Products Meeting proposed regulations in passive standby mode
Product
Mode
% meeting
proposed
regulation
All Products
Passive
52
5
378
DVD Player
Passive
69
8
26
External Power Supplies
Passive
100
0
44
Microwave
Passive
8
0
24
Stereo – Integrated
Passive
69
4
24
Stereo – Portable
Passive
50
14
14
Television – CRT
Passive
0
38
13
Television – LCD
Passive
58
1
92
Television – Plasma
Passive
77
0
35
AV Receiver
Passive
95
0
22
DVD Recorder
Passive
0
20
5
Hard Disk Recorder
Passive
30
21
19
Home Theatre System
Passive
100
0
19
Portable DVD Player
Passive
0
67
6
Projector
Passive
57
0
7
Set Top Box
Passive
100
0
14
Subwoofer
Passive
20
60
5
Wireless Speaker System
Passive
50
17
6
Passive
62
0
12
% >5W
Sample Size
Core Basket
Home Entertainment
Small Appliances
Digital Photo Frame
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001 - 2011
21
Percentage of Products Meeting proposed regulations in off mode
% meeting
proposed 0.5W
regulation
% >5
Sample Size
59
4
326
Computers - Monitor
95
0
21
Multi – Function Device
39
0
23
Printer – Laser
100
0
11
Stereo – Integrated
67
0
3
Stereo – Portable
24
0
8
Washing Machine Top
35
0
23
Washing Machine Front
11
4
57
57
39
23
Computers - Desktop
0
5
21
Computers - Laptop
48
0
21
Computers - Speakers
40
0
20
Digital Photo Frame
58
0
12
Espresso Machine
92
0
24
Juicers
68
0
22
Toaster
71
0
21
Product
All Products
Core Basket
Home Entertainment
Subwoofer
Computer Products
Small Appliances
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001-2011
22
Appendix E
Accessing store survey data
Australian Store Surveys
The Australian Government‟s web site contains historical data collected during Australian store surveys. Data
available includes low power mode consumptions, brand, model and other characteristics of interest. A wide range
of appliances in several stores have been surveyed over the last decade, enabling a comprehensive data set to be
compiled. Users must accept a range of conditions as a prerequisite for access to the data. Users must also register
with the site. Registration is free and anyone can apply online at www.energyrating.gov.au/login/apply-for-alogin-id.
APP International Store Survey data
The APP international store survey results can be viewed at www.energyrating.gov.au/products-themes/standbypower/international/. This data is summarised as a series of graphical representations for individual countries
and inter country comparisons. Raw data for this project is only available to members of the partnership.
SELINA – European Store Survey Results
SELINA is a new Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) project supported by the EU and 12 project partners spread
across 12 countries. The project took approximately 6000 standby and off-mode measurements in stores across
Europe. Aggregated results are available at www.selina-project.eu.
A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001 - 2011
23
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A Decade of Australian Store Surveys: Measuring Standby Power 2001 - 2011
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A Decade of Australian Store Surveys
www.energyrating.gov.au
A joint initiative of Australian, State and Territory and New Zealand Governments