In modern times, the use of advanced audiovisual (AV) technology has become widespread in many corporate and institutional settings. While AV systems can enhance collaboration, learning and productivity, they can also significantly drive up operational costs if not set up and managed with energy efficiency in mind. Many organizations overlook some critical mistakes in how their AV systems are designed and used that lead to wasteful energy consumption. By addressing these overlooked issues, facilities can achieve significant savings on their utility bills without compromising user experience.

In this blog post, we will explore some of the most common energy inefficient practices in AV and provide recommendations on how to optimize systems for lower energy use. Implementing even a few of these best practices could help cut energy costs by 10-15% annually. With the ever increasing prices of electricity, being mindful about AV system efficiency is a smart financial move.

Equipment Selection

The first and most impactful step towards an energy efficient AV setup starts with choosing equipment that has high efficiency ratings. Look for displays, projectors and audio equipment that are Energy Star certified or have other industry certifications demonstrating low power consumption.

Displays: Select flat panel displays with LED backlights rather than older LCD models with CCFL backlights. Newer LED-backlit displays use around 30% less power. Also opt for models with ambient light sensors that adjust brightness based on lighting conditions.

Projectors: Laser and LED projectors are more energy efficient alternatives to traditional lamp-based models. Laser projectors in particular can reduce power use by 50-70%. Consider 3LCD or DLP projector technologies over older single chip DLP models.

Audio: For sound systems, choose networked amplifiers and DSPs over individual powered speakers. Networked audio gear allows for more flexible centralized power management.

Proper Configuration

After selecting high-efficiency equipment, the next step is ensuring everything is configured optimally. Many AV systems are set up for full-blast performance but end up significantly overpowered for actual use.

Display Brightness: Calibrate display and projector brightness to recommended lighting levels rather than maximum output. Lower brightness levels can halve energy usage.

Automatic Controls: Leverage ambient light and occupancy sensors to automatically adjust brightness and power on/off displays based on room conditions.

Standby Modes: Enable energysaving modes like sleep or auto-off on all AV gear. Have longer idle times before automatic shutdown of minutes rather than seconds.

Cables: Use high-quality cables certified for 4K/HDMI standards to avoid unnecessary extra power from signal boosting.

Cooling: Ensure adequate ventilation so equipment doesn't overheat and fans run at full speed. Excessive cooling wastes energy.

Usage Optimization

Even with efficient hardware, wasteful user habits can undo savings. Promoting energy conscious behaviors is important.

Scheduling: Centrally manage room schedules to avoid displays left on in empty rooms. Use booking system integrations.

Meetings: Train users to power down shared laptops/devices during presentations from an AV source.

Diagnostics: Leverage system monitoring to identify unused AV equipment that can be decommissioned.

Policies: Establish power management guidelines around automatic sleep/off timeouts and guidelines for energy-conscious usage.

Maintenance Matters

A maintained AV system runs optimally. Neglected equipment loses efficiency over time.

Cleaning: Keep equipment clean to prevent overheating from dust buildup in fan intakes/exhausts.

Calibration: Annually calibrate projectors and display settings to maintain proper brightness/colors for ambient conditions.

Upgrades: Monitor firmware/software updates for new efficiency features and security patches.

Replace Old: Retire 10+ year old analog/legacy AV systems for newer digital technology.

Enclosure: For projectors, ensure enclosed/ventilated mounts rather than open floor stacking.

Measuring ROI

To justify energy efficiency investments, facilities must track ROI on projects. Monitoring tools can analyze impact.

Utilities Data: Track historical electricity bills to benchmark against post-upgrades.

Metering: Install submeters on AV systems or individual rooms to isolate energy usage.

Pre/Post Audit: Conduct AV system energy audits before and after changes to quantify savings.

Documentation: Maintain records of equipment upgrades, configuration, usage policies for future ROI proofs.

Conclusion

With energy prices rising annually, optimizing AV systems for efficiency is a financially prudent strategy. While upfront costs may be required for upgrades, the payback periods are often less than 2 years through lower utility bills. Beyond savings, an energy efficient AV also reduces environmental impact. By addressing common overlooked mistakes and ensuring proper configuration, usage and maintenance, every organization can achieve significant energy reductions from their audiovisual systems.

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