How much energy do the new analog-to-digital (DTV) TV signal converters use?
Many of the digital-to-analog signal converters consume about 17 watts when in use, and 8 watts in sleep mode. The amount of kilowatt hours (kWh) per month that a DTA will add to a utility bill depends on the number of hours the TV (and DTA) is on. Five hours of TV viewing a day is a common assumption, which would mean that a DTA would consume around 84 kWh or $11 per year. ENERGY STAR models require DTAs to draw no more than 8 watts in active mode and no more than 1 watt in sleep mode, and they must make the transition from active to sleep after no more than 4 hours of inactivity. Using the same 5 hour assumption, an ENERGY STAR DTA will consume around 24 kWh or $3.15 per year.
