LG Class Action Says TVs ‘Energy Star’ Rating is Misleading

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A class action lawsuit filed against LG Electronics USA Inc. alleges that the “energy star” rating on its televisions is false and misleading.

The complaint asserts that LG televisions have software that “automatically disables energy-saving features whenever any picture settings are changed, without the knowledge of the consumer.”

The LG deceptive energy star television class action lawsuit states that “energy star” is a voluntary label created by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

According to the EPA, an electronic device with an energy star on it means that the device is 25 percent more efficient than conventional models of that device.

The complaint contends that the “energy star” is attractive to consumers, because efficient appliances and devices “can save nearly $200 over the life of the products.”

LG promotes the company’s energy efficiency on its website, proclaiming itself as a “2015 Energy Star Partner of the Year” and that it “offers more than 800 ENERGY STAR qualified models in a range of product categories,” the lawsuit states.

However, those energy star ratings are misleading, at least for LG televisions, according to the class action.

The complaint cites an independent test conducted by the National Research Defense Counsel (NRDC) and Ecos Research of televisions from several leading manufacturers.

According to that NRDC report, LG as well as other electronics companies, “have designed their TVs to disable energy-saving features whenever users change the main picture setting.”

The NRDC report also noted that government energy testing is done with the same 10 minute video loop which quickly jumps multiple scenes, and which engages a “motion detection dimming” feature on LG televisions which reduces their power output.

The class action gives examples such as changing the brightness of the television, or switching the mode from “normal” to “sport” or “cinema” as changes that switch off “key energy saving features” used by LG’s software.

“A few seemingly harmless clicks, without warning, can as much as double the cost to operate a TV over its 10-year lifetime, costing owners an extra $100 to $200 in energy bills,” the class action asserts.

Plaintiff Veronica Munoz states that she purchased a 55 inch LG television in 2016.

Munoz claims that her LG television had the energy star label on its box, and that she changed some of the settings on her television like the contrast, not knowing that might reduce the television’s energy efficiency.

The complaint argues that LG fraudulently induced Munoz to purchase her television with the misleading energy star label.

Munoz seeks to represent a Class of “All persons within the United States who purchased a 2015 or 2016 ENERGY STAR certified LG television, with a screen size of 32 inches or greater.”

The complaint asserts claims of breach of warranty, breach of contract, violations of California consumer protection laws, and common law fraud, among others.

The class action requests compensatory damages, punitive damages, and an order stopping LG from its deceptive practices and requiring LG to do corrective advertising.

Munoz is represented by Trinette G. Kent of Lemberg Law, LLC.

The LG Deceptive Energy Star Television Class Action Lawsuit is Veronica Munoz v. LG Electronics USA Inc., Case No. 5:16-cv-05546, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Western Division.